iage with Hilma and the
astonishing transformation of his character. Hilma, as well, was
delightful as Mrs. Annixter; and Mrs. Dyke and the little tad had always
been his friends. He would have a good time.

But nobody was to go into Bonneville that morning with the mail, and if
he wished to send his manuscript, he would have to take it in himself.
He had resolved to do this, getting an early start, and going on
horseback to Quien Sabe, by way of Bonneville.

It was barely six o'clock when Presley sat down to his coffee and eggs
in the dining-room of Los Muertos. The day promised to be hot, and
for the first time, Presley had put on a new khaki riding suit, very
English-looking, though in place of the regulation top-boots, he wore
his laced knee-boots, with a great spur on the left heel. Harran joined
him at breakfast, in his working clothes of blue canvas. He was bound
for the irrigating ditch to see how the work was getting on there.

"How is the wheat looking?" asked Presley.

"Bully," answered the other, stirring his coffee. "The Governor has had
his usual luck. Practically, every acre of the ranch was sown to
wheat, and everywhere the stand is good. I was over on Two, day before
yesterday, and if nothing happens, I believe it will go thirty sacks
to the acre there. Cutter reports that there are spots on Four where we
will get forty-two or three. Hooven, too, brought up some wonderful fine
ears for me to look at. The grains were just beginning to show. Some of
the ears carried twenty grains. That means nearly forty bushels of wheat
to every acre. I call it a bonanza year."

"Have you got any mail?" said Presley, rising. "I'm going into town."

Harran shook his head, and took himself away, and Presley went down to
the stable-corral to get his pony.

As he rode out of the stable-yard and passed by the ranch house, on
the driveway, he was surprised to see Magnus on the lowest step of the
porch.

"Good morning, Governor," called Presley. "Aren't you up pretty early?"

"Good morning, Pres, my boy." The Governor came forward and, putting his
hand on the pony's withers, walked along by his side.

"Going to town, Pres?" he asked.

"Yes, sir. Can I do anything for you, Governor?"

Magnus drew a sealed envelope from his pocket.

"I wish you would drop in at the office of the Mercury for me," he said,
"and see Mr. Genslinger personally, and give him this envelope. It is a
package of papers, but they involve a co