er lip. "Well, never mind," she said, "just draw up your
papers. I'll show you I'm business myself."

"Huh!" he grunted and, whipping out a fountain pen, he sat down and
wrote rapidly at a table. "There," he said tearing the leaf from his
notebook and putting it into her hands, "just read that over and if you
want to sign it we'll close the deal, right here."

The Widow took the paper and, turning it to the light, began a labored
perusal.

"Memorandum of agreement," she muttered, squinting her eyes at his
handwriting, "hmm, I'll have to go and get my glasses. 'For and in
consideration of the sum of ten dollars--to me in hand paid by M. R.
Wiley,' and so forth--oh well, I guess it's all right, just show me
where to sign."

"No," he said, "let me read it to you--you ought to know what you're
signing."

"No, just show me where to sign," protested the Widow petulantly, "and
where it says ten cents a share."

"Well, it says that here," answered Wiley, putting his finger on the
place, "but I'm going to read it to you--it wouldn't be legal
otherwise."

He wiped the beaded sweat from his brow and glanced towards the kitchen
door. In this desperate game which he was framing on the Widow the luck
had all come his way, but as he cleared his throat and commenced to read
Virginia came bounding in. She was carrying a kitten, but when she saw
the paper between them she dropped it on the floor.

"Virginia!" cried her mother, "go and hunt my glasses. They're somewhere
in my bedroom."

"All right," she responded, but when she came back she glanced
inquiringly at the paper.

"You can go now," announced the Widow, adjusting her glasses, but
Virginia threw up her head.

"Do you know who that is?" she demanded brusquely, pointing an accusing
finger at Wiley.

"Why--er--no," returned the Widow, now absorbed in the agreement.

"Well, all right," she said after a hasty perusal, "but where's that sum
of ten dollars? Now you hush, Virginia, and go--into--the--_kitchen_!
Now, it says right here--oh, where is that place? Oh yes, 'the receipt
whereof is hereby acknowledged'! _Virginia!_"

She stamped her foot, but Virginia's blood was up and she made a grab at
the paper.

"Now, _listen!_" she screamed, stopping her mother in her rush.
"That man there is Wiley Holman! Yes--Holman! Old Honest John's son!
What's this you're going to sign?"

She backed away, her eyes fixed on the agreement, while the Widow stood
astounded.

"Wil