n your pay?" leered the man.

"If you say an insulting word I think very probably I will finish you,"
said the Harvester. "I can, with my naked hands, and all your neighbours
will say it is a a good job. You have felt my grip! I warn you!"

"How does my niece come to be taking money from you!"

"You have forfeited all right to know. Ruth, you cannot remain here. You
must come with me. I will take you to Onabasha and find you a room."

A horrible laugh broke from the man.

"So that is the end of my saintly niece!" he said.

"Remember!" cried the Harvester advancing a step. "Ruth, will you go to
the rest I suggested for you?"

"I cannot."

"Will you go to Doctor Carey's wife?"

"Impossible!"

"Will you marry me and go to the shelter of my home with me?"

Wild-eyed she stared at him.

"Why?"

"Because I love you, and want life made easier for you, above anything
else on earth."

"But your Dream Girl!"

"YOU ARE THE DREAM GIRL! I thought the red bird told you for me! I
didn't know it would be a shock. I believed I had made you understand."

By that time she was shaking with a nervous chill, and the sight
unmanned the Harvester.

"Come with me!" he urged. "We will decide what you want to do on the
way. Only come, I beg you."

"First it was marry, now it's decide later," broke in Henry Jameson,
crazed with anger. "Move a step and I'll strike you down. I'd better
than see you disgraced----"

The Harvester advanced and Jameson stepped back.

"Ruth," said the Harvester, "I know how impossible this seems. It is
giving you no chance at all. I had intended, when I found you, to court
you tenderly as girl ever was wooed before. Come with me, and I'll do
it yet. The new home was built for you. The sunshine room is ready and
waiting for you. There is pure air, fresh water, nothing but rest and
comfort. I'll nurse you back to health and strength, and you shall be
courted until you come to me of your own accord."

"Impossible!" cried the girl.

"Only if you make it so. If you will come now, we can be married in a
few hours, and you can be safe in your own home. I realize now that
this is unexpected and shocking to you, but if you will come with me and
allow me to restore you to health and strength, and if, say, in a year,
you are convinced that you do not love me, I will set you free. If
you will come, I swear to you that you shall be my wife first, and my
honoured guest afterward, until such time as you eit