e went on, suddenly, "have you noticed how perty the moonlight
is on the medders these nights? You reckon it shines that same way
over at Niagry?"

Annie did not answer at the instant. "Well," said she at last, "in
some ways this country is a lot like Cleveland. Go on over to your own
house, if you've got one, and don't you never speak to me again, so
long as you live."

"Well, anyways," said Wid, chuckling, "you didn't really call me a
sheep man. But listen--I've told you almost the truth about
everything. Now I got to be going."

"I was _afraid_ you'd be making some break," said Annie Squires. "I
was _expecting_ you'd do some fool thing or other. I almost _knew_
you'd do it. But then----"

"Yes; and but then?"

"But then----" concluded Annie.

CHAPTER XXVII

DORENWALD, CHIEF

Mary Gage, sitting alone in her cabin, could hear the hum of voices as
Wid Gardner and Annie Squires talked together in the open sunlight.
Presently she heard the footfall of Annie as she came to the door.

"Well, Sis," said that cheerful individual, "how are you getting on?"

"Couldn't you come in for a while, Annie? I'm very lonesome. What
were you talking about?"

"I just told that man out there I'm going to take you back home."

Mary Gage sat silent for a time. "We'll have to get a better solution
than that."

"It's a fine little solution you've got so far, ain't it now?"
commented Annie. "Highbrows always have to lean on the lowbrows, more
or less. You listen to me."

"Sometime, I suppose," she went on after a moment's pause, "I'll have
to talk right out with you. For instance, you being a farmer's wife!
Now, as for me, I was raised on a farm. When I was ten years old I was
milking five cows every day. When I was twelve I was sitting up at
night knitting socks for the other kids. That was before I got the
idea of going to the white lights after my career. Well, it's lucky I
met you, like enough. But me once talking of getting married to
Charlie Dorenwald! I should admire to see him, me handy to a flat
iron."

"But, Annie, I'd die if it wasn't for some one to help me all the time.
Some pay for that with money. How can I pay for it at all? Tell me,
Annie." She turned suddenly. "If I--if I could get my eyesight back
again, what ought I to do?"

"I wouldn't talk about that, Sis, if I was you. But just wait, there's
some one coming--it's him."

Mary could hear Sim Gage's rapid step as he came