this is your splinter new one and a fresh pad and
pillow. Now you try them and see if they are not much harder and more
comfortable."

"This is just perfect!" she sighed, as she sank into the bed.

The Harvester bent over her to straighten the cover, when suddenly
she reached both arms around his neck, and gripped him with all her
strength.

"Thank you!" she said.

"May I hold you to-morrow?" whispered the Harvester, emboldened by this.

"Please do," said the Girl.

The Harvester, with dog to heel, went to the oak to think.

"Belshazzar, kommen Sie!" said the man, dropping on the seat and holding
out his hand. The dog laid his muzzle in the firm grip.

"Bel," said the Harvester, "I am all at sea. One day I think maybe I
have a little chance, the next----none at all. I had an hour of solid
comfort to-day, now I'm in the sweat box again. It's a little selfish
streak in me, Bel, that hates to see Harmon go into the hospital and
take my place with the Careys. They are my best and only friends. He is
young, social, handsome, and will be ever present. In three months he
will become so popular that I might as well be off the earth. I wish I
didn't think it, but I'm so small that I do. And then there is my
Dream Girl, Bel. The girl you found for me, old fellow. There never was
another like her, and she has my heart for all time. And he has hers.
That hospital plan is the best thing in the world for her. It will keep
her where Carey can have an eye on her, where the air is better, where
she can have company without the city crush, where she is close the
country, and a good living is assured. Bel, it's the nicest arrangement
you ever saw for every one we know, except us."

The Harvester laughed shortly. "Bel," he said, "tell me! If a man lived
a hundred years, could he have the heartache all the way? Seems like
I've had it almost that long now. In fact, I've had it such ages I'd
be lonesome without it. This is some more of my very own medicine, so I
shouldn't make a wry face over taking it. I knew what would happen when
I sent for him, and I didn't hesitate. I must not now.

"Only I got to stop one thing, Bel. I told him I would play square,
and I have. But here it ends. After this, I must step back and be big
brother. Lots of fun in this brother business, Bel. But maybe I am cut
out for it. Anyway it's written! But if it is, how did she come to allow
me such privileges as I took to-day? That wasn't professional by an