rket for
all farming truck in two hours' ride. The proposition, however, needs
some thought. It might cost me all I've got."

Jake's eyes twinkled. "I reckon that wouldn't stop you if you resolved
to dyke the marsh. You didn't get much money when you got the estate?"

"I did not. I understand Joseph Dearham was not rich, and when he
found his health was breaking down he gave some money to his relations.
People here try to get out of the inheritance duties like that;
besides, he had not meant to give my father much. However, I have a
rich relation, from whom I want nothing, but whom the others think I
ought to satisfy."

"Bernard Dearham? Dick Halliday talked about him."

Jim nodded. "Bernard is my grandfather Joseph's brother. Joseph was
satisfied to live quietly at Langrigg like a small country gentleman;
Bernard got rich by opening some iron mines not far off. Joseph
married twice, and Mrs. Halliday and Mordaunt's mother were his second
wife's daughters. She was a widow with two children when she married
Joseph. So you see, Mrs. Halliday is not my aunt."

"Then, Evelyn Halliday is not your cousin," Carrie remarked.

"I suppose she's not," said Jim. "Anyhow, since I'm a Dearham, a
descendant in the male line, it seems I've a stronger claim on Bernard
than the others. I don't mean to urge the claim. He didn't give me
Langrigg, he left my father alone, and if I keep the place, I'm going
to run it as I like."

"Do you mean to keep Langrigg?" Carrie asked.

Jim looked thoughtful. "I imagine so; I don't know yet. There are
drawbacks, but something pulls. I'll wait a bit before I decide." He
got up and beckoned Jake. "Let's go and see the farms."

They went off and Carrie turned to Mrs. Winter. "He'll stay; we'll
lose him soon. I think I knew we would lose him when you found the
advertisement------"

She paused and Mrs. Winter remembered that when she had shown the girl
the old newspaper Carrie had hesitated for a moment or two. She,
however, said nothing and Carrie resumed:

"Well, I wanted to see the Old Country and you needed a rest. The life
they live here is fuller than ours; it's something to enjoy it for a
time, but we won't stay long, although Jim is kind."

Mrs. Winter gave her a keen glance, but Carrie's face was calm. Then
she picked up her sewing and Carrie studied the old house. Langrigg
meant much to Jim and she thought would presently mean more. She
vaguely understood