hrough
there and stop that nigger's clatter. We are going to have a visitor.
The fairest of the fair will be here in a minute."

Henley stepped down to the edge of the sidewalk and bowed and smiled to
her as she drew rein. In her new straw hat and clean, well-ironed
gingham she looked decidedly well. She was radiantly bright, and smiled
merrily as she extended her hand and shook his over the rickety
fore-wheel as she leaned forward from the dilapidated, sagging seat, the
springs of which rested on the sides of the wagon-bed.

"I told you I'd be in," she laughed, "and, if the market is off to-day,
back I go to my shanty. Nothing but the best prices catch me."

"About as favorable now as any time," he said. "What does your load
consist of?" he ran on, jovially, as he glanced behind her at the bags,
boxes, coops, pails, and jars.

"Odds and ends," she laughed. "I've got to make a payment to old
Welborne on my debt. You and Jim had better give me tiptop bids all
through or I'll peddle the truck from door to door and steal your trade
right from under your noses."

Henley smiled good-humoredly as he walked round the wagon opening boxes
and bags and making notes with a pencil on a scrap of paper. Then he
told her what he would pay for each item.

"Is that as good as you can do?" It was a question she always asked, and
she did so now more from habit than for any intention of disagreeing
with him.

"That's the top-notch, Dixie," he said. "We couldn't do that, but we've
got customers that simply won't eat butter and eggs that don't have your
brand on 'em."

"I believe you," she said, laconically. "I've met 'em myself. They pass
by the house from Carlton sometimes in their fine rigs and ask me why I
don't start a milk-and-butter farm. I may do it if I ever get out of
debt. I've got sense enough to know it would pay, and pay big,
considering that there ain't no such business established. Well, Alfred,
I'll take your offer. I don't like to dicker with first one store and
then another, and I know you've been straight with me in all my
dealings. I'll trade out part of the amount. I've got a few tricks to
buy in your line."

"Well, alight and come in and set down," he said. "Jim and Pomp will
unload and weigh and measure. I'll make Pomp mind your hoss."

"Oh, old Bob will stand all right!" she laughed, as she put her gloved
hand on Henley's shoulder and sprang lightly to the ground. "He's moved
all he wants to to-day. It w