d rest a spell. She knew that I'd look
after things all right, and can make butter next grade to hers, if I
can't equal. Anybody that's been worrying with a Chinaman as long as
she has needs a vacation, I 'low. So she's taking a mite of one."

"Then I'll gather a bunch of roses and take to her. I'm glad to have
her rest, and I hope--Aunt Sally, do you suppose she heard any of that
dreadful man's talk? Did you tell her?"

"No; I didn't tell her. I'd sooner never say another word as long as
I live than do such a thing. You needn't be afraid to trust your old
auntie, child. There, run along and make her a posy."

But no sooner had Jessica gone into the garden than Aunt Sally's lips
were close to Ephraim's ear, and she was whispering:

"She heard it, every word. She didn't say so, and I didn't ask. But
the look of it in her eyes. Ephraim Marsh, I've got a heartbroken woman
on my hands, and don't you dare to tell me a word 'at I haven't."

"Oh, that tongue of yours! Last night when you were yelling at him why
didn't you think about other folks' hearts and be still? You've a
voice like a fog horn when you're mad--or pleased, either!" cried this
honest, ungallant frontiersman.

"I know it, Ephy. It's the truth. I realize it as well as you do. And
I was mad. Since she heard, anyway, I wish now 'at I'd up and thrashed
him good. I had laid out to put a little bitter dose in his coffee this
morning, but he went away without taking any," she ended, grimly.

"Sally Benton, you're quite contriving. What's to be done?"

Before she could reply Jessica came back, her arms full of great
rose-branches and her face bright with confidence.

"Ephraim, Aunt Sally, I've thought of something. It came to me out
there among the roses, like a voice speaking; my mother must not and
need not be told what Mr. Hale said. It isn't wicked to deceive her
in this, for her own good. Often you've asked her to let you take me
horseback trip to Los Angeles, stopping nights at houses on the way,
with people who knew my father; and she's promised I should 'some
time.' I think the 'some time' has come. She will be glad to have
us go, for one thing, to find out about the feather markets and others
that Antonio used to take care of, but has left. Aunt Sally does two
things at once; why not we? We'll hunt that man who took the money;
and if I can't find the deed first--though, of course, I shall--we'll
straighten that out, too. Isn't that good sense?"

"