ty and your sweetness--for-rgive me that I
say these things so baldly--and wondered at the r-responsibilities you
assumed, and at the care you took of every needing person who came near
you--even fr-rom you whom I admired and--whom I admired with all my
str-rength, I did not learn the lesson that was before my eyes."

"How can you say all this to me, Baron? You must not."

"You will do me the justice to listen just a pair of minutes longer.
Now I see it all clearly; now I have a purpose in my life. It is to
make you look upon me with r-respect,--with so much r-respect that you
will for-rget that on one of those turned-over pages of my life there
is a blot."

"And you have chosen to seek your salvation through work! It is a fine
spirit, Baron, and the American gospel--though perhaps you may not like
it the more on that account."

"You are an American."

Sydney blushed and laughed,--her sweet, rich laugh. She was glad to be
a little farther away from tragedy.

"Shall I tell you my plan? You will see how I am practical! My
salvation lies in the unpoetic shape of--cattle."

"Cattle?"

"I have some money for which I sent to Germany; some that I felt it
r-right to use if I should be in gr-reat need of it, but which I should
not have sent for except that I was ill. With this money and my little
farm I go into partnership with young Mr. McRae. His father gives to
him one-half of his so large estate. On his place and mine we r-raise a
cr-rop which we feed to our cr-reatures."

"Where are they to come from?"

"Some we do r-raise ourselves, and some we buy here and there,
every-where in these mountains where we can find two or three
colts--no, calves."

"Will there be a sufficient market to justify you?"

"How wonderful for business are you! Yes, we think so. Alr-ready have
we an or-rder to send a whole carload of steers to R-richmond."

"Really? You've really begun?"

"Yes, I take much pr-ride to say that we have begun two days ago.
Patton is to buy the calves at first, he does so well understand the
folk of the mountains; and later, when I talk more accurately English,
then I shall help him. Until then my part is on the farms."

"I think it is admirable! It will give you so much to do and to
interest you. You are sure to succeed."

She smiled at him generously and with perfect sympathy. Her white dress
shone cool against the purple sky, and her face rose radiant above.

Von Rittenheim leaned over her as she