redder than ever; but, more than all, he was puzzled.

"Well," he observed, after a moment, "this beats me, this does! Last
time we talked you was willin' to consider sellin'. What's changed you?
What's the reason you won't sell? What business reason have you got for
not doin' it?"

I had no business reason at all. Except for Mother's counsel not to
sell, which was based upon sentiment and nothing else, and my own
stubbornness, I had no reason at all. Yet I was, if anything, more firm
in my resolve.

"How about the Lane?" he demanded. "You know what that Lane means to
Denboro?"

"I know what you say it means. The townspeople can continue to use the
Lane, just as they always have, so long as they behave themselves. There
is no use of our talking further, Captain. I've made up my mind."

He went away, soon after, but he asked another question.

"Will you do this much for me?" he asked. "Will you promise me not to
sell the land to Colton?"

"No," I said, "I will make no promise of any kind, to anybody."

"Oh," with a scornful sniff, "I see. I'm on to you. You're just hangin'
out for a big price. I might have known it. You're on Colton's side,
after all."

I rose. I was angry now.

"I told you price had nothing to do with it," I said, sharply. "I am on
no one's side. The town is welcome to use the Lane; that I have told you
already. There is nothing more to be said."

He shook his head.

"I don't make many mistakes," he observed, slowly; "but I guess I've
made one. You're a whole lot deeper'n I thought you was."

So much for the proletariat. I heard from the plutocrats next day.
Sim Eldredge dropped in on me. After much wriggling about the bush he
intimated that he knew of Captain Jedediah's call and what had taken
place.

"You done just right, Ros," he whispered. He had a habit of whispering
as the Captain had of shouting. "You done just right. Keep 'em guessin';
keep em guessin'. Jed's all upsot. He don't know whether he's keel down
or on his beam ends. He'll be makin' a higher bid pretty soon. Say,"
with a wink, "I see Colton last night."

"Did you?"

"Yup. Oh, I give him a jolt. I hinted that the town had made you a fine
offer and you was considerin' it."

"What did you do that for? Who gave you the right to--"

"Sshh! Don't holler. Somebody might be listenin'. I come through the
woods and round the beach so's I wouldn't be seen. What do you s'pose
Colton said?"

"I don't care what he said."