atter, perhaps. I think we all like to have our good and
right actions recognized for their worth."

He flushed, looked at her with a smile, then laughed out-right--this
time it was no pretense.

"So I've been a good boy; have done as my mistress bade me and now I'm
to receive a condescending little pat on the head--and of course must
say thank you. Do you know, Mrs. Lafirme--and I don't see why a woman
like you oughtn't to know it--it's one of those things to drive a man
mad, the sweet complaisance with which women accept situations, or
inflict situations that it takes the utmost of a man's strength to
endure."

"Well, Mr. Hosmer," said Therese plainly discomposed, "you must
concede you decided it was the right thing to do."

"I didn't do it because I thought it was right, but because you
thought it was right. But that makes no difference."

"Then remember your wife is going to do the right thing herself--she
admitted as much to me."

"Don't you fool yourself, as Melicent says, about what Mrs. Hosmer
means to do. I take no account of it. But you take it so easily; so as
a matter of course. That's what exasperates me. That you, you, you,
shouldn't have a suspicion of the torture of it; the loathsomeness of
it. But how could you--how could any woman understand it? Oh forgive
me, Therese--I wouldn't want you to. There's no brute so brutal as a
man," he cried, seeing the pain in her face and knowing he had caused
it. "But you know you promised to help me--oh I'm talking like an
idiot."

"And I do," returned Therese, "that is, I want to, I mean to."

"Then don't tell me again that I have done right. Only look at me
sometimes a little differently than you do at Hiram or the gate post.
Let me once in a while see a look in your face that tells me that you
understand--if it's only a little bit."

Therese thought it best to interrupt the situation; so, pale and
silently she prepared to mount her horse. He came to her assistance of
course, and when she was seated she drew off her loose riding glove
and held out her hand to him. He pressed it gratefully, then touched
it with his lips; then turned it and kissed the half open palm.

She did not leave him this time, but rode at his side in silence with
a frown and little line of thought between her blue eyes.

As they were nearing the store she said diffidently: "Mr. Hosmer, I
wonder if it wouldn't be best for you to put the mill in some one
else's charge--and go away f