one. The
pain is over! Long life and the love you crave are for you. You've only
to keep breathing a few more hours and the battle is yours. Glorious
Girl! Noble! You are doing finely! Ruth, do you know me?"

Her lips moved.

"Don't try to speak," said the Harvester. "Don't waste breath on a word.
Save the good oxygen to strengthen your tired body. But if you do know
me, maybe you could smile, Ruth!"

She could just smile, and that was all. Feeble, flickering, transient,
but as it crossed the living face the Harvester lifted her hands and
kissed them over and over, back, palm, and finger tips.

"Now just one more drop, honey, and then a long rest. Will you try it
again for me?"

She assented, and the Harvester took the bottle from his pocket, poured
the drop, and held the spoon to willing lips. The big eyes were on him
with a question. Then they fell to the spoon. The Harvester understood.

"Yes, it's mine! It's got sixty years of wonderful life in it, every one
of them full of love and happiness for my dear Dream Girl. Can you take
it, Ruth?"

Her lips parted, the wine of life passed between. She smiled faintly,
and her eyelids dropped shut, but presently they opened again.

"David!"

"My Dream Girl!"

"Harvester?"

"Yes!"

"Medicine Man?"

"Don't, Ruth! Save every breath to help your heart."

"Life?"

"Life it is, Girl!" exulted the Harvester. "Long life! Love! Home! The
man you love! Every happiness that ever came to a girl! Nothing shall be
denied you! Nothing shall be lacking! It's all in your hands now, Ruth.
We've all done everything we can; you must do the remainder. It's your
work to send every breath as deeply as you can. Doc, release another
tank of air. Are her feet warm, Granny? Let the nurse take your place
now. And, honey, go to sleep! I'll keep watch for you. I'll measure
each breath you draw. If they shorten or weaken, I'll wake you for more
medicine. You can trust me! Always you can trust me, Ruth."

The Girl smiled and fell into a light, even slumber. Granny Moreland
stumbled to the couch and rolled on it sobbing with nervous exhaustion.
Doctor Carey called the nurse to take her place. Then he came to the
Harvester's side and whispered, "Let me, David!"

The Harvester looked up with his queer grin, but he made no motion to
arise.

"Won't you trust me, David? I'll watch as if it were my own wife."

"I wouldn't trust any man on earth, for the coming three hours," replied
the H