"

Jane felt that her remark was a piece of wild audacity. But she was
desperate. To her amazement her father did not flare up but kept
silent, wearing the look she knew meant profound reflection.

After a moment he said:

"Davy's a knowing boy. He showed that the other day when he jumped in
and made himself a popular hero. He'd never 'a' been able to come
anywheres near election but for that. Dorn'd 'a' won by a vote so big
that Dick Kelly wouldn't 'a' dared even try to count him out....
Dorn's a better man than Davy. But Dorn's got a foolish streak in him.
He believes the foolishness he talks, instead of simply talking it to
gain his end. I've been looking him over and thinking him over. He
won't do, Jinny."

Was her father discussing the matter abstractly, impersonally, as he
seemed? Or, had he with that uncanny shrewdness of his somehow
penetrated to her secret--or to a suspicion of it? Jane was so
agitated that she sat silent and rigid, trying to look unconcerned.

"I had a strong notion to try to do something for him," continued the
old man. "But it'd be no use. He'd not rise to a chance that was
offered him. He's set on going his own way."

Jane trembled--dared. "I believe _I_ could do something with him,"
said she--and she was pleased with the coolness of her voice, the
complete absence of agitation or of false note.

"Try if you like," said her father. "But I'm sure you'll find I'm
right. Be careful not to commit yourself in any way. But I needn't
warn you. You know how to take care of yourself. Still, maybe you
don't realize how set up he'd be over being noticed by a girl in your
position. And if you gave him the notion that there was a chance for
him to marry you, he'd be after you hammer and tongs. The idea of
getting hold of so much money'd set him crazy."

"I doubt if he cares very much--or at all--about money," said Jane,
judicially.

Hastings grinned satirically. "There ain't nobody that don't care
about money," said he, "any more than there's anybody that don't care
about air to breathe. Put a pin right there, Jinny."

"I hate to think that," she said, reluctantly, "but I'm
afraid--it's--so."

As she was taking her ride one morning she met David Hull also on
horseback and out for his health. He turned and they rode together,
for several miles, neither breaking the silence except with an
occasional remark about weather or scenery. Finally Davy said:

"You seem t