ntered the house. He went directly to
their room, but Amy was not there. The bed was undisturbed. Elijah
passed quietly to the next room. It was Amy's own. A light softly
glowing beneath the door-sill told him that the room was occupied. He
opened the door gently and stood stiffened, immovable, at the sight
before him. Amy was seated at her little work-table. A shaded lamp threw
its full light upon her head, resting upon her outstretched arms. Her
face was turned toward him; the light showed lids, red and tear-stained.
Near one outstretched hand was a pencil, fallen from the sleep-loosened
fingers. There was a worn book lying open, surrounded by loose papers.
Elijah moved softly toward the table. He picked up the book. It was "A &
B's Elements." The tear-blotched papers were covered with figures.
Elijah replaced the book and papers. Like a flash the whole explanation
of the open book, and the figure-covered papers came to him. His eyes
were upon the bowed head, upon the baby lips moving pathetically in
their troubled sleep. His guardian angel was pleading hard within him.
With wide-open, motionless eyes he bent forward, his hands outstretched,
his foot lifted to take the step that would redeem him. Then his hands
fell slowly to his side; he straightened and turned away abruptly. As
softly as he had entered the room, so softly he left it.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Elijah had no difficulty in securing options on the land which he and
Mrs. MacGregor had selected. They had, however, underestimated the
apathy of the Mexican owners, who, while perfectly willing to give
options with no preliminary payments, were adamant as to the length of
time to which the options should be extended.

Mrs. MacGregor smiled reassuringly upon Elijah when he had stated his
difficulty.

"The time is ample. I have some means at my command."

Elijah asked no questions and she tendered no explanations. When,
however, the time passed by and the deeds came to be actually
transferred, his unasked questions were answered. Not a cent of the
money, not a single negotiable paper which went into the preliminary
payments, was in Eunice MacGregor's name, except that as by power of
attorney, she had acted for her absent ward. Elijah, remembering his
transactions with the Pacific bank, could say nothing.

Mrs. MacGregor had only one more obstacle to overcome. At first, as
guardian, later as trusted financial agent, with full power of attorney,
she could