ng."

"But father Abel would like them for his company. He is very fond of
my fancy 'pats'."

"But not to-day. Besides, if there is time for idleness, I want you to
pass it here with me, in my own wigwam."

The Sun Maid looked up. "Shall you not be at the feasting, dear Other
Mother? You have many friends among those who are coming."

"Friendship is proved by too sharp a test sometimes. The way of the
world is to follow the crowd. If a person falls into disfavor with
one, all the rest begin to pick flaws. More than that: the temptation
of money ruins even noble natures."

"Why, Wahneenah! You sound as if you were talking riddles. Who is
tempted by money? and which way does the 'crowd' you mean go? I don't
understand you at all."

"May the Great Spirit be praised that it is so. May He long preserve
to you your innocent and loyal heart."

With these words, the Indian woman stooped and laid her hand upon the
child's head; then slowly entered her lodge and let its curtains fall
behind her. There was an unusual sternness about her demeanor which
impressed Kitty greatly; so that it was with a very sober face that
she herself gathered up her burdens and returned to the cabin.

Yet on the short way thither she met Gaspar, who beckoned to her from
behind the shelter of a haystack, motioning silence.

"But you mustn't keep me, Gaspar boy. Mother Mercy is terribly hurried
this morning, and now, for some reason, Other Mother has stopped
helping and has gone home to the tepee. If I don't work, it will about
crush her down, Mercy says."

"Hang Mercy! There. I don't mean that. I wish you wouldn't always look
so scared when I get mad. I am mad to-day, Kit. Mad clear through.
I've got to be around amongst folks, too, for a while; but the first
minute you get, you come to that pile of logs near Wahneenah's place,
and I'll have something to tell you."

"No you won't! No you won't! I know it already. I heard father Abel
talking. There is to be a horse race, after the harvesting and the
supper are over. There is a new man, or family, moved into the
neighborhood and he is a horse trader. I heard all about it, sir!"

"You heard that? Did you hear anything else? About Wahneenah and
money?"

"Only what she told me herself"; repeating the Indian woman's words.

"Then she knows, poor thing!" cried Gaspar, indignantly.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE HARVESTING.

Kitty had no time to ask further explanation. Already there was an