it did not topple down, and proceeded to
read the morning newspaper. It was positively shocking, thought Mrs.
Barnett, how women could so far forget themselves. She never did.

Directly her primly erect head turned slightly, and her eyes which
always seemed looking for something substantial--no dream stuff for
her--widened with satisfaction and she put her hand up to her collar to
see if the breastpin was in place.

It was Reedy Jenkins who got out of the machine which stopped at the
entrance. He took off his hat when halfway to the porch--his black
hair was smoothly brushed--his face opened with a flattering smile and
he quickened his step. Mrs. Barnett permitted herself to rise, take
two short steps forward, and to smile reservedly as she offered her
hand.

Reedy Jenkins had not exaggerated when he said he had a way with the
ladies. He did have. It was rather a broad way, but there are plenty
of ladies who are not subtle.

"You have a lovely little place here." Reedy gave a short, approving
glance round as he took the offered chair. "It's wonderful what a
woman's touch can do to make a home. No place like home, if there is
some dear woman there to preside."

Mrs. Barnett's mouth simpered at the implied flattery; but her eyes,
always looking calculatingly for substantial results, were studying
Reedy Jenkins. He certainly had handsome black hair, and he was well
dressed--and the manner of a gentleman. He reminded her of an
evangelist she had known back in Indiana. She had intended to marry
that evangelist if his wife died in time; but she did not.

"It is very hard to do much here," Mrs. Barnett said, deprecatingly.
"There is so much dust, and the market is so poor, and servants are so
untrained and so annoying. But of course I do what little I can to
make dear Uncle a good home. It was a great sacrifice for me to come,
but when duty calls one must not think of self."

"No, I suppose not." Reedy sighed and shook his head until the long
black lock dangled across the corner of his forehead--he did look like
that evangelist. "But I wish sometime that we could forget the other
fellow and think of ourselves. I'd have been a millionaire by now if I
hadn't been so chicken-hearted about giving the other fellow the best
of it."

"We never lose by being generous," said Mrs. Barnett with conviction.

"No, I suppose not," Reedy sighed. "No doubt it pays in the long run.
I know I've been put in the way o