is," said Dic, "and Mrs.
Bays's opposition surprises me a little. I know quite as well as
she--better, perhaps--that I am not worthy of Rita. No man is. But I am
not lazy. I would be willing to die working for her. I am not very good;
neither am I very bad. She will make me good, and I don't see that any
one else around here has anything better to offer her. The truth is,
Rita deserves a rich man from the city, who can give her a fine house,
servants, and carriages. It is a shame, Billy Little, to hide such
beauty as Rita's under a log-cabin's roof in the woods."

"I quite agree with you," was Billy's unexpected reply. "But I don't see
any chance for her catching that sort of a man unless her father goes in
business with Fisher at Indianapolis. Even there the field is not broad.
She might, if she lived at Indianapolis, meet a stranger from
Cincinnati, St. Louis, or the East, and might marry the house,
carriages, and servants. I understand Bays--perhaps I should say Mrs.
Bays--contemplates making the move, and probably you had better withdraw
your claim and give the girl a chance."

Dic looked doubtingly at his little friend and said, "I think I shall
not withdraw."

"I have not been expecting you would," answered Billy. "But what are you
going to do about the Chief Justice?"

"I don't know. What would you do?"

Billy Little paused before answering. "If you knew what mistakes I have
made in such matters, you would not ask advice of me."

Dic waited, hoping that Billy would amplify upon the subject of his
mistakes, but he waited in vain. "Nevertheless," he said, "I want your
advice."

"I have none to give," responded Billy, "unless it is to suggest in a
general way that in dealing with women boldness has always been
considered the proper article. Humility is sweet in a beautiful woman,
but it makes a man appear sheepish. The first step toward success with
all classes of persons is to gain their respect. Humility in a man won't
gain the respect of a hound pup. Face the world bravely. Egad! St.
George's little affair with the fiery dragon grows pale when one thinks
of the icy dragoness of duty and justice you must overthrow before you
can rescue Rita. But go at the old woman as if you had fought dragons
all your life. Tell her bluntly that you want Rita; that you must and
will have her, and that it is not in the power of duty and justice to
keep her from you. Be bold, and you will probably get the girl, together
w