e old couple and stirred the fire,
presumably for their benefit. He _had_ been glad to see them: they had
helped him over an awkward announcement. He had not told her he meant to
get these cattle, and he had let her think that he meant to take her
advice and not go into debt any more than he had already done.

John Hunter heard his wife's low exclamation of surprise. He was glad it
was over.

Susan Hornby heard it too and caught the sick look on her face, but though
she wondered about it she asked no questions, for Elizabeth Hunter was a
woman of reserve. Elizabeth Hunter had developed a power unknown to
Elizabeth Farnshaw.

"Got a good many sheds built a'ready, I see," was the next remark the girl
heard.

"Yes," John replied, still devoting himself to the fire. "I expected to
get the stock sooner--haven't used it all this year--but it's there for
next season. I've got about all the cattle I'll get now. I told Carter I'd
take seventeen head of his. He was going to put them up at his sale next
week, but I persuaded him to let me have them in a bunch. I'll get them
home to-morrow. Got 'em on 6 per cent. They'll grow into money every day
this summer--mostly two-year-olds. Don't you think so?"

"That's all owin'," Nathan replied slowly. "Cattle take a lot of cover,
an' you ain't usin' straw sheds."

"Oh, my sheds ain't cost so very much," John replied easily. "They're
substantial too. I don't think much of the straw-shed business. It'll do
for Hansen, now, that ain't got anything to put under cover, but when a
man's got anything----" John filled out the sentence with an expressive
gesture, and then before any one could speak said casually: "By the way, I
hear the Swede's going to be married to-morrow."

"Married?" Elizabeth Hunter exclaimed. Every word of the conversation had
been a stab, but to have Luther called a Swede was too much.

"Yes, dear," Aunt Susan said, laying a hand on her arm. "I meant to have
told you and I hadn't got to it yet. Nate and I are invited to the
wedding. It's Sadie Crane, you know."

Elizabeth fell into the nearest chair utterly limp. "Sadie Crane?" she
said over and over.

"I knew you'd hate to have it Sadie, but any woman could be glad to get a
man as good as Luther, and she's crazy over him. He'll make her a good
husband whether she makes a good wife or not. She'll have her own way a
good deal further than most wives."

John Hunter suspected that the latter was said for his benef