ed. "I guess you're entitled to your turn making fun of me.
But have you got money, Johnny? I never thought of that."

"Likely not. But the Annabel sure brought me luck; that name worked better
than a rabbit's foot. Here's a little bunch of nuggets I saved out of the
first clean-up." He paused to take a small new poke from an inner pocket
and, untying the string, poured the contents in her hand. "I thought
likely you'd want 'em made up in a necklace with a few diamonds or mebbe
emeralds mixed in."

She stood looking at the shining rough pieces of gold in her palm, while a
certain pride rose through the wonder in her face. "My gracious!" she
exclaimed, and a spark of her lost youth revived. "My gracious. And you
named your mine after me. I bet it was on account of that billy and the
ewes."

"Likely," the little man beamed. "But more than likely it was because that
strike was a sure thing, and you was behind it, Annabel. My, yes, you was
responsible I ever got to Alaska; let alone stuck it out. Sure as a
grubstake, you gave me my start. Now come take a look at this outfit I
brought."

He held the poke open while she poured the nuggets back. "I like them
plain," she said, "but I never saw any made up. I leave it to you."

"Then I make it emeralds to match the Green, and mebbe a few sparklers
thrown in." He laughed gayly and, taking her arm, drew her back across the
room to the open trunk; when she was seated again in the armchair, he
knelt to remove the first layer of tissue packing. She took the precaution
to spread one smooth sheet of it on her lap and, leaning forward, saw him
uncover the plume, the entire hat. "Gracious goodness!" she exclaimed
tremulously, as he lifted it awkwardly to her eager hands, "ain't it
splendid? I didn't know they were making them like this. I never saw such
roses; why, they look alive and ready to smell; and ain't they pretty
fixed this way under the brim?" She paused, turning the masterpiece
slowly, like a connoisseur. "I bet I could have worn it when I was in
Oregon. It would have been my style. Do you suppose"--she glanced at Banks
timidly--"I'd dare to try it if my hair was done real nice, and I had on a
better dress?"

"My, yes." Banks laughed again excitedly, and with growing confidence
opened the next compartment to display the chiffon gown. "Wait till you
get this on. You'll be a sight. You always was in pink." He paused to take
the hat and, wheeling, placed it on the old dress