he was driven away. Jane's sullen
and apathetic aspect had passed away in part for Holcroft's words had
kindled something like hope.

Chapter XVII.

A Momentous Decision

It must be admitted that Holcroft enjoyed his triumph over Lemuel Weeks
very much after the fashion of the aboriginal man. Indeed, he was
almost sorry he had not been given a little more provocation, knowing
well that, had this been true, his neighbor would have received a
fuller return for his interested efforts. As he saw his farmhouse in
the shimmering April sunlight, as the old churning dog came forward,
wagging his tail, the farmer said, "This is the only place which can
ever be home to me. Well, well! It's queer about people. Some, when
they go, leave you desolate; others make you happy by their absence. I
never dreamed that silly Mumpson could make me happy, but she has.
Blessed if I don't feel happy! The first time in a year or more!" And
he began to whistle old "Coronation" in the most lively fashion as he
unharnessed his horses.

A little later, he prepared himself a good dinner and ate it in
leisurely enjoyment, sharing a morsel now and then with the old dog.
"You're a plaguey sight better company than she was," he mused. "That
poor little stray cat of a Jane! What will become of her? Well, well!
Soon as she's old enough to cut loose from her mother, I'll try to give
her a chance, if it's a possible thing."

After dinner, he made a rough draught of an auction bill, offering his
cows for sale, muttering as he did so, "Tom Watterly'll help me put it
in better shape." Then he drove a mile away to see old Mr. And Mrs.
Johnson. The former agreed for a small sum to mount guard with his dog
during the farmer's occasional absences, and the latter readily
consented to do the washing and mending.

"What do I want of any more 'peculiar females,' as that daft widow
called 'em?" he chuckled on his return. "Blames if she wasn't the most
peculiar of the lot. Think of me marrying her!" and the hillside
echoed to his derisive laugh. "As I feel today, there's a better chance
of my being struck by lightning than marrying, and I don't think any
woman could do it in spite of me. I'll run the ranch alone."

That evening he smoked his pipe cheerfully beside the kitchen fire, the
dog sleeping at his feet. "I declare," he said smilingly, "I feel quite
at home."

In the morning, after attending to his work, he went for old Jonathan
Johnson