ver on the side more," advised Jim laconically.

"Then I'll get in with all those weeds; they're covered with dust and
wet, besides," objected Fanny.... "Say, Jim!"

"Well?"

"Wouldn't it be nice if we had an auto, then I could step in, right
in front of the house, and keep as clean as--"

The young man laughed.

"Wouldn't you like an aeroplane better, Fan? I believe I would."

"You could keep it in the barn; couldn't you, Jim?"

"No," derided Jim, "the barn isn't what you'd call up-to-date. I
require a hangar--or whatever you call 'em."

The girl smothered a sigh.

"If we weren't so poor--" she began.

"Well?"

"Oh--lots of things.... They say that Orr girl has heaps of money."

"Who says so?" demanded her brother roughly.

"Why, everybody. Joyce Fulsom told me her father said so; and he
ought to know. Do you suppose--?"

"Do I suppose what?"

Jim's tone was almost savage.

"What's the matter with you, Jim?"

Fanny's sweet voice conveyed impatience, almost reproach. It was as
if she had said to her brother, "You know how I must feel, and yet
you are cross with me."

Jim glanced down at her, sudden relenting in his heart.

"I was just thinking it's pretty hard lines for both of us," said he.
"If we were rich and could come speeding into town in a snappy auto,
our clothes in the latest style, I guess things would be different.
There's no use talking, Fan; there's mighty little chance for our
sort. And if there's one thing I hate more than another it's what
folks call sympathy."

"So do I!" cried Fanny. "I simply can't bear it to know that people
are saying behind my back, 'There's _poor_ Fanny Dodge; I wonder--'
Then they squeeze your hand, and gaze at you and sigh. Even mother--I
want you to tell mother I'm not--that it isn't true--I can't talk to
her, Jim."

"I'll put her wise," said Jim gruffly.

After a pause, during which both walked faster than before, he said
hurriedly, as if the words broke loose:

"Don't you give that fellow another thought, Fan. He isn't worth it!"

The girl started like a blooded horse under the whip. She did not
pretend to misunderstand.

"I know you never liked him, Jim," she said after a short silence.

"You bet I didn't! Forget him, Fan. That's all I have to say."

"But--if I only knew what it was--I must have done something--said
something-- I keep wondering and wondering. I can't help it, Jim."

There was an irrepressible sob in the girl's voice.

"