only mentioned
that tombstone business because his mother set so much store by the
rockery. He looks at that as a sort of a monument."

A look of deep seriousness came over Mrs. Norton's countenance. It
deepened as she thought.

"Of course, Mr. Hicks, we intended to tell him about it--and thank him
for the use of the stones. But possibly it would be more considerate
not to say anything about it."

"Not tell him at all," repeated Jonas reflectively.

"But I suppose that no matter how we put them back he would notice that
it had been changed."

"Yes. I guess he knows it by heart. He had those blue-flower vines
started on it."

"It was really very thoughtless of us," mused Mrs. Norton.

"Oh, well; it is n't anything serious," remarked Jonas. "If he seems
serious about it you can blame me. Tell him I told you to. I 'm
really part owner anyway; I discovered a lot of those stones and put
them there. He 'll understand how it was. And if he says anything to
me I 'll tell him I did n't think. If you want me to I 'll make it all
right when I go out there this afternoon."

"Are you going out there?" she asked, looking up with sudden interest.

"I 've been thinking I would. I want to drop out those three middle
yoke and let them run on grass a while. While I 'm out there, I guess
I 'll make Steve a call and stop overnight. It 'll be late when I get
there."

"Oh!"

She saw a very lively and interesting picture of Mr. Hicks's arrival at
the shack. He would not be a very welcome visitor, she thought.
Having the misconceptions she did of affairs at the ranch, she saw all
sorts of possibilities; she said nothing, however, which would keep
this interesting three-cornered meeting from taking place. She turned
the conversation at once into other channels. Having answered his
inquiries regarding neighborhood affairs, and having been finally
assured that he would return the rockery and make everything "all
right," she took her leave.

Jonas had had no very definite intention of undertaking the journey at
once; but now that his mind was turned in that direction, he saw that
to-day was as good as to-morrow, or even the day after; he fired up the
stove and again took the batter in hand. This time the pancakes went
ahead without interruption. When he had stacked up the requisite
number, and eaten them with honey and bacon, he hooked the wheelers to
the wagon, and then added the rest of the cattle, yoke after y