ring of us,
or your mother. It means that, plain and distinct."

"Just when I can sell them! Just when everything is so lovely on account
of them! I can't! I can't stay away from the swamp. The Limberlost is
going to buy the books, the clothes, pay the tuition, and even start a
college fund. I just can't!"

"You've got to," said Sinton. "This is plain enough. You go far in the
swamp at your own risk, even in daytime."

"Uncle Wesley," said the girl, "last night before I went to bed, I was
so happy I tried to pray, and I thanked God for hiding me 'under the
shadow of His wing.' But how in the world could any one know it?"

Wesley Sinton's heart leaped in his breast. His face was whiter than the
girl's now.

"Were you praying out loud, honey?" he almost whispered.

"I might have said words," answered Elnora. "I know I do sometimes.
I've never had any one to talk with, and I've played with and talked to
myself all my life. You've caught me at it often, but it always makes
mother angry when she does. She says it's silly. I forget and do it,
when I'm alone. But Uncle Wesley, if I said anything last night, you
know it was the merest whisper, because I'd have been so afraid of
waking mother. Don't you see? I sat up late, and studied two lessons."

Sinton was steadying himself "I'll stop and examine the case as I come
back," he said. "Maybe I can find some clue. That other--that was just
accidental. It's a common expression. All the preachers use it. If I
tried to pray, that would be the very first thing I'd say."

The colour returned to Elnora's face.

"Did you tell your mother about this money, Elnora?" he asked.

"No, I didn't," said Elnora. "It's dreadful not to, but I was afraid.
You see they are clearing the swamp so fast. Every year it grows more
difficult to find things, and Indian stuff becomes scarcer. I want to
graduate, and that's four years unless I can double on the course. That
means twenty dollars tuition each year, and new books, and clothes.
There won't ever be so much at one time again, that I know. I just got
to hang to my money. I was afraid to tell her, for fear she would want
it for taxes, and she really must sell a tree or some cattle for that,
mustn't she, Uncle Wesley?"

"On your life, she must!" said Wesley. "You put your little wad in the
bank all safe, and never mention it to a living soul. It doesn't seem
right, but your case is peculiar. Every word you say is a true word.
Each year yo