n to her how
the change was wrought. When he returned late that night and found
that Jonas Hicks was in charge, he saw his way clear to solve her
transportation problems. As a horse without a saddle would hardly do
for her, he remounted and rode almost to town on the main road, where
he borrowed a buggy. Getting back again he found that the
much-expected herder had put in his appearance with a man to help him;
the two were now out with the sheep. The wagon had not arrived because
the bed with sheep-stalls was out of repair; a second helper would come
with it later in the day and in the meantime Jonas would follow the
flock with his wagon and two yoke of oxen.

As to Mr. Pete Harding, that delinquent, instead of being
conscience-smitten by his long absence, had returned as one who is the
bearer of glad tidings, the burden of his song being that he had been
most surpassingly drunk. Steve, taking into consideration that the
man, being now satisfied with his achievements and the proud possessor
of a headache, would settle down to the simple life with all the more
interest, let him off without a word of reproof. And besides, Mr.
Brown, though he did not say so, was grateful to the man for having
stayed away as long as he did.

Thus Steve Brown was free to do as he pleased. He would himself take
Janet to her destination at the county-seat; and if she would allow him
to,--he seemed to lose all his usual self-confidence at this point in
his relations toward her,--he would wait there until she had taken the
examination. And then, if she were willing, he would take her wherever
she wished to go. Janet, protesting mildly against putting him to so
much trouble, accepted the offer.

"That's the best thing for us to do," he said.

So it was decided; and when breakfast was over and the hieroglyphic
oil-coat had been stowed under the seat of the buggy, Janet's horse got
the word to go.

Not without regret, nor certain light allusions to the state other
feelings, did Janet part company with the shack and the now familiar
prairie. The shack had been a house to her, and one whose roof and
walls had held her in the very closest relations; and besides, though
she did not say a word about this, it was the only residence she had
ever met which she could possibly imagine herself saving up enough
money to buy. This was one of its secrets.

Steve, taking a route of his own, drove twice through the waters of the
wandering Coman