r than she thought, and
the change in Thirlwell could not be talked about. It was dark now, the
red and green had faded above the trees, and she was grateful for the
gloom. She was not afraid of George and Farnam, but did not want Mabel
to study her. Only the latter noted that she paused awkwardly now and
then and added a rather involved explanation. The men were engrossed by
Thirlwell's efforts to find the ore. When she stopped they were quiet
for a few moments.

Then George said: "You would never have struck the lode without that
man." He turned to the others. "Some story of a prospecting trip! What
do you think?"

"I think Agatha was very lucky," Mrs. Farnam said with meaning. "Perhaps
luckier than she deserved."

"Thirlwell's all right," George bluntly agreed, and then addressed
Agatha: "You have often got after me about being a business man, and
I'll own I don't let many chances of making a dollar pass. But this
thing goes back of business. Thirlwell's entitled to half of all you
get."

Agatha was moved. She had found out some time since that she had not
always understood George.

"I offered him half," she said and paused. "He wouldn't accept."

Mrs. Farnam, seeing the girl was embarrassed, got up. "I'm cold. We had
better go in."

When she had lighted the lamp, Farnam went out and came back with a tray
of bottles and glasses.

"It's not often we celebrate an event like this," he said as he opened a
bottle. "We have no wine, but this is some of our own hard cider that I
meant to send to the Fruit-Growers' Exhibition. There's nothing else
good enough."

He filled the glasses and with a few happy words wished Agatha success.
She thanked him and afterwards stood up, very straight but silent, and
with her eyes shining softly lifted her glass above her head. The others
lifted theirs, in grave quietness, for they knew what she meant. The
pioneers touch the ridge-pole of the tent, or the roof-tree of the
shack, when they drink to the memory of comrades who have gone out on
the last lone trail. But George's look was troubled and his hand shook.

"He made good," he said, and added, when they had drunk and Farnam
refilled the glasses: "Here's to the man who helped you prove it; the
man who did my job!"

Mrs. Farnam studied Agatha and noted the softness of her look. Then she
took the girl away and some time afterwards, when they were talking in
her room, remarked: "There's an obvious end to your romance, my dea