Haney extended his hand, and they silently clasped palms in the compact.

They parted in a glow of mutual confidence and liking, and Alice's voice
quivered as she thanked their host. "I think it very fine of you,
Captain Haney. This may be the means of establishing Mr. Fordyce in
business here."

His eyes twinkled in reply. "I will do all I can to help him, for he
takes me eye."

Ben's last glance and the pressure of his hand left in Bertha's brain a
glow which remained with her all the rest of the day, and she carolled
like a robin as she trod her swift way about the house.

The next morning, as they sat at breakfast, Mart briskly said: "Well,
little woman, I've decided, now that I have a man I can trust with me
business, to make the trip East. As soon as he has the mines in hand
we'll start. Can you be ready to go Monday week?"

"Sure thing," she answered, quickly. But even as she spoke a nameless
pang that was neither joy nor exultation shot through her heart. For the
first time she realized that she had lost her keen desire to explore the
glittering plain which lay below her feet. A fairer world, a perfectly
satisfying world, was opening before her in the high country which was
her home.

CHAPTER XII

ALICE HEATH HAS A VISION

This change of legal adviser, while very important to Ben Fordyce and
the Haneys, did not seem to trouble Allen Crego very much. As a matter
of fact, he was about to run for Congress, and had all the business he
could attend to anyway. He liked the young Quaker, and responded "All
right" in the frank Western fashion, sending the Haneys away quite as
solidly friendly as before. To Ben he was most cordial. "I'm glad you're
going to settle here, and I'm specially glad you've got a retainer; for
the field is overcrowded, and it may take a long time for you to get a
place. We old fellows who came down along with the pioneers have an
immense advantage. I wish you every success." And he meant it.

Only when he got home to Mrs. Crego did he come to realize what a
horrible injury he had permitted "a young and inexperienced Eastern boy"
to do himself. "This connection will ostracize them both," his wife
said.

He answered a little wearily. "Oh, now, my dear, I think you take your
social Medes and Persians too seriously. We lawyers can't afford to
inquire into the private affairs of our clients too closely--especially
if they are derived from the pioneer West. Ben Fordyce doesn't be