ainst it, was inwardly in despair. While Ben, hitherto
careless, facing life with unwrinkled brow, was appreciating, for the
first time, the positive responsibilities of manhood. Bertha's expressed
wish to employ his best judgment exalted him while it troubled him.

For a time the burden of the conversation was his. Haney was in a
reflective mood, and Bertha busied with the table service, which she was
trying to raise to the level of her honored guests, was distracted.
Alice, tired and a little dispirited, added nothing to the youthful
spirit of the meal.

At last, just when the conversation seemed about to flag out, Haney,
lifting his head, began in a new tone: "Mr. Fordyce, my little girl and
I have decided we want you to take Crego's place as our lawyer. I hope
you'll be able to do it."

Alice looked up in surprise. "But you don't mean to take it from Mr.
Crego?"

Haney's face grew hard. "I am under no obligation to Crego, and I prefer
to have as me lawyer a man who can neighbor with me, and whose wife is
not above nodding when me own wife passes by."

Alice hastened to defend the Cregos. "You mustn't be unjust to Mrs.
Crego."

"I'm not," said Haney, "nor to Crego either. I've paid for his time, and
paid well--as I'm willing to pay for yours." He turned to Ben. "I need
advice, and I want to feel free to go for it."

Ben replied: "I'd like to accept your business, Captain, but you see it
would not be professional for me to profit at the expense of my friend,
and, besides, I haven't really settled here yet."

Haney looked disappointed. "I thought ye had. Well, I am going to cut
loose from Crego anyhow, and I shall tell him why."

Bertha cried out: "No, don't do that."

He acquiesced. "Very well, then I won't tell him why; but I'm going to
quit him! So if you don't care to take on me business, I'll give it to
Jim Beringer. It pays a good bit of money, and will pay more. I'll make
it profitable to ye."

Alice looked at Ben. "Of course, if he is going to leave Mr. Crego
anyway--"

"But that would mean making our permanent home here, and setting up an
office."

"Well, why not? I can't live in the East any more; that we have tested.
I am willing to decide now. It would give you a start here, and,
besides, I think you can be of use to the Captain."

Ben still hesitated. "It seems rather treacherous to Crego some way. But
if you have definitely decided against him--"

"We have," said Bertha. "We talked it