ld
teach mathematics. Anybody who can run a car like she can with as true a
eye for curves an' distances, and a head for bossin' a machine that runs
by engine power, couldn't help but teach algebry and geometry just true
as a right angle. But mebby," and Ponk's countenance fell--"mebby she'd
not want to, nor thank me noways, nor you, neither, for interfering in
the matter. But I just thought I'd offer you the chance to mebby help
her get on her feet. I don't know, though. I'd hate to lose her
good-will. I just couldn't stand it."

"Ponk, I appreciate your motive," York said, feelingly. "I will take
this up as soon as I can with Miss Swaim. You see, she's our guest and I
can't very gracefully suggest that she seek employment. And, to be frank
with you, my sister has become very fond of her--Laura misses a good
many good things on account of her lameness--and we would like to keep
her our guest indefinitely; but we can't do that, of course."

"I don't wonder your sister wants her. Of course, you don't care nothin'
about it yourself. An' I'll have the board hold the place awhile to see
what 'll happen. I must soar back home now." And the little man left the
office.

"Sound to the core, if he does strut when strangers come to town.
Especially ladies. That's the only way some little men have of
attracting attention to themselves. A kind-hearted man as ever came up
the Sage Brush," York commented, as he watched his caller crossing the
street to the hotel.

That evening Jerry Swaim sat alone on the porch of the Macpherson home,
where shafts of silvery moonlight fell through the honeysuckle vines.
What York Macpherson would have called a fight between Jim Swaim's chin
and Lesa's eyes was going on in Jerry's soul this evening. Since her
visit to her claim life had suddenly become a maze of perplexities. She
had never before known a care that could not have been lifted from her
by others, except the one problem of leaving Philadelphia, and the
solution of that might have been the prank of a headstrong child,
prompted by self-will and love of adventure, rather than by the grave
decision of well-poised judgment. Heretofore in all her ventures a safe
harbor had been near to shelter her. Now she was among the breakers and
the storm was on.

For the first time in her memory her purse was light and there was no
visible source from which to refill it. She was too well-bred to tax the
hospitality of the Macpherson home, where she w