st of these
are miners, the next greater part live in towns. Hardly half are engaged
in agriculture. How would Ysleta be fed, where would it get money to
pay?"

Elijah's face showed still greater surprise.

"What put these figures into your head?"

Helen laughed sarcastically.

"I was advised to invest in building lots, so I looked the matter up. I
am giving you these figures so you can see that I know how to appreciate
what your work means." Her face sobered. She screwed paper and carbons
into her machine and opened her note-book. She did not raise her eyes
from her work.

"Don't wait, Mr. Berl. I'll have the work done in three hours."

Elijah left the office half dazed. Every word of Helen Lonsdale smote
hard and deep. Not alone because of their surprising nature, but because
his own work had never before appeared so worth while. Heretofore it had
only appeared great in itself. Now it stood out gigantic by contrast. He
was pleasantly conscious of another element that was entering his life
for the first time; the sympathetic interest of an intelligent woman.

Punctually at the appointed time, Elijah returned. Helen was still
busily at work.

"Am I too soon?" he asked.

She handed him a neatly enclosed package.

"That's all right, I think. Do you want to open an account, or will this
be all?"

Elijah spoke very deliberately.

"I will open an account. I shall have more work."

"Very well. I send out monthly statements to my regular customers." Her
eyes were again following her note-book, her fingers working at the
rattling keys.

CHAPTER FOUR

It was well that the work which Helen was doing when Elijah left the
office was mechanical, else it might have lacked the finish which made
her in demand above all others. She could not keep her thoughts from
this man and his work. With a frown, she glanced at her watch. Returning
it to her belt, she drew her finished work from her machine and began to
put the office in order. She stood absently before a mirror as she
pinned her hat in place, turning with perfunctory pats here and there,
touching a stray lock into order and smoothing down her gown. She passed
out into the street, locking the door behind her, and turned to
Winston's office. Her light footsteps as she entered, did not arouse his
attention. For a moment she stood, looking at him as he bent over his
work.

"You are cordial, I must confess."

Ralph looked up.

"Ah! What's the matter?" h