y
means. It was just the stiffest love-making I knew how to do, Bel, and
she didn't object by the quiver of an eyelash. God knows I was watching
closely enough for any sign that I was distasteful. And I might have
been well enough. Rough, herb-stained old clothes, unshaven, everything
to offend a dainty girl. She said I might hold her again to-morrow. And,
Bel, what the nation did she hug me like that for, if she's going to
marry him? Boy, I see my way clear to an hour more. While I'm at it,
just to surprise myself, I believe I'll take it like other men. I think
I'll go on a little bender, and make what probably will be the last day
a plumb good one. Something worth remembering is better than nothing
at all, Bel! He hasn't told me that he has won. She didn't SAY she was
going to marry him, and she did say he hurt her, and she wanted me. Bel,
how about the grimness of it, if she should marry him and then discover
that he hurts her, and she wants me. Lord God Almighty, if you have any
mercy at all, never put me up against that," prayed the Harvester, "for
my heart is water where she is concerned."

The Harvester arose, and going to the lake, he cut an arm load of big,
pink mallows, covered each mound with fresh flowers, whistled to the
dog, and went to his work. Many things had accumulated, and he cleaned
the barn, carried herbs from the dry-house to the store-room, and put
everything into shape. Close noon the next day he went to Onabasha, and
was gone three hours. He came back barbered in the latest style, and
carrying a big bundle. When the hour for arranging the bed came, he was
yet in his room, but he sent word he would be there in a second.

As he crossed the living-room he pulled a chair to the veranda and
placed a footstool before it. Then he stepped into the sunshine room. A
quizzical expression crossed the face of Doctor Harmon as he closed the
book he was reading aloud to the Girl and arose. Wholly unembarrassed
the Harvester smiled.

"Have I got this rigging anywhere near right?" he inquired.

"David, what have you done?" gasped the amazed Girl.

"I didn't feel anywhere near up to the 'mark of my high calling'
yesterday," quoted the Harvester. "I don't know how I appear, but I'm
clean as shaving, soap and hot water will make me, and my clothing will
not smell offensively. Now come out of that bed for a happy hour. Where
is that big coverlet? You are going on the veranda to-day."

"You look just like ever