and the old man
trembled violently--"I'm so cold."

"Dick, do make a fire," said his wife.

"I won't do no sich fool trick. It's roastin' hot now."

"'Tain't much," went on the trembling old man, "only fif--fif--teen
hundred--dollars. I got it here now," and he drew out the roll of
greenbacks.

_FIFTEEN HUNDRED DOLLARS!_ Twice as much as the whole farm and
stock were worth! Dick's eyes fairly popped out, and Caleb was careful
to show also the handle of the white revolver.

"Why, father," exclaimed Saryann, "you are ill: Let me go get you some
brandy. Dick, make a fire. Father is cold as ice."

"Yes--please--fire--I'm all of--a--tremble--with--cold."

Dick rushed around now and soon the big fire place was filled with
blaze and the room unpleasantly warm.

"Here, father, have some brandy and water," said Dick, in a very
different tone. "Would you like a little quinine?"

"No, no--I'm better now; but I was saying--I only got a few days to
live, an' having no legal kin--this here wad'd go to the gover'ment,
but I spoke to the lawyer, an' all I need do--is--add--a word to the
deed o' gift--for the farm--to include this--an' it's very right you
should have it, too." Old Caleb shook from head to foot and coughed
terribly.

"Oh, father, let me send for the doctor," pleaded Saryann, and Dick
added feebly, "Yes, father, let me go for the doctor."

"No, no; never mind. It don't matter. I'll be better off soon. Have
you the deed o' gift here?"

"Oh, yes, Dick has it in his chest." Dick ran to get the deed, for
these were the days before registration in Canada; possession of the
deed was possession of the farm, and to lose the deed was to lose the
land.

The old man tremblingly fumbled over the money, seeming to count
it--"Yes--just--fif-teen hun'erd," as Dick came clumping down the
ladder with the deed.

"Have you got a--pen--and ink--"

Dick went for the dried-up ink bottle while Saryann hunted for
_the_ pen. Caleb's hand trembled violently as he took the
parchment, glanced carefully over it--yes, this was it--the thing that
had made him a despised pauper. He glanced around quickly. Dick and
Saryann were at the other end of the room. He rose, took one step
forward and stuffed the deed into the blazing fire. Holding his
revolver in his right hand and the poker in the left, he stood erect
and firm, all sign of weakness gone; his eyes were ablaze, and with
voice of stern command he hissed "_Stand back!_" And poin