uffed away at
his pipe.

* * * * * *

Heralded by Prince's loud barking, and escorted by Jed and Kizzie, who
ran out to investigate, a vendor, laden with a large square basket,
came to the kitchen door. Alene, who was at luncheon, hurriedly gulped
down her coffee and joined the group.

The man opened his basket and exhibited some really fine specimens of
Mexican drawn-work, beaded moccasins and Indian blankets.

Mrs. Major bought a centre piece, Kizzie a collar-and-cuff set, and
Alene looked longingly at a pair of dainty moccasins that were now,
alas, beyond her means. She thought regretfully of the cut-steel purse
in Uncle Fred's possession.

"But even if he were here I wouldn't ask for it. That would be
breaking my word," she said sturdily. The man used all his persuasive
powers in vain; she looked and longed and sadly shook her head.

At last he took from the bottom of the basket a long wooden box, and
raised the lid.

"How lovely!" They all crowded round with cries of admiration.

"You thinka them vair fine!" the man said, picking up a handful and
turning them over in the light till they shone like fairy lanterns of
rainbow-tinted dew.

"Here-a is whata you call heem, black fire opal, here-a meelk, here-a
cherry, here-a blue!" cried the seller volubly.

Alene stood in silent ecstasy! How she would love to buy three, one
each for Laura, Ivy and herself! She knew she could borrow the money
from Mrs. Major, and repay her upon Uncle Fred's return that evening,
or even let it stand until the next week, when she would regain her
fortune but--

"And here-a, leettle lady, ees de jewelry--de feela-gree broocha and de
Swastika charm," continued the man persuasively, having noted the
little girl's indecision. The others, who were aware of her vow of
voluntary poverty, looked on in sympathy and were ready, as she knew,
to help her if she desired.

"The other girls often wish to buy, and it's just as hard for them when
they can't; besides, it wouldn't be right to borrow for such things
when one is poor, and I'm not supposed to know this week that I'll be
able to afford it next," reasoned Alene, shaking her head the more
energetically to fortify her resolution.

The man, disappointed, slowly repacked his wares, shouldered them and
shambled away, while Alene stood looking on.

"After all, opals are unlucky," said Kizzie consolingly.

Alene felt Prince's soft nose against h