which she uttered the final words sent Bryant off
in a fit of laughter.

"You may count on them," he said, at length.

"Your heart's of stone to laugh like that. Bonbons _do_ help when one
is low-spirited."

Nevertheless, her spirits were high enough on this afternoon. All the
while that they were gathering raspberries she kept up a lively
chatter, and when Lee suggested, now that the basket was full, leaving
it at the spot and making an excursion to the head of the gorge, she
readily assented. The sun was still far from setting; the air between
the rocky walls was pleasant; and the canon held forth a fresh
enticement. They walked for an hour, and though they failed to gain
the end of the long mountain crevice they ascended to where the
springs that fed the brook had their source, and where the rivulet
trickled over ledges and among boulders, finding themselves in the
heavy timber that forested the upper mountains. There they sat on a
rock, Ruth holding the wild flowers she had plucked on the way, and
talked.

"Does your going now have to do with your project?" she questioned.

"Yes; I've finished the preliminary work."

"But Charlie Menocal said you were making no progress, that you were
blocked."

"What Charlie doesn't know would fill lots of space," Lee said. "In
spite of the Menocals' opposition and tricks, I've established my
survey--but don't breathe it yet! And now I'm ready for the financing
of the scheme. When that's done, I'll begin actual work."

Ruth considered him with shining eyes.

"I'm glad you succeeded; I knew you would succeed," she exclaimed.
"You've worked so hard. And I hope that it makes you famous and
wealthy."

"So do I," he laughed. "I need the money."

She nodded.

"One needs money to be happy in this world."

"Oh, I don't know about that," he responded, thoughtfully. "I've
probably been as happy while hammering out this survey as I'll ever
be, that is, happy in my work. Of course, money means comforts and
luxuries. But I doubt if it really ever brings contentment."

The obstinate touch grew in her chin.

"If I had plenty of money I'd have the contentment, or I'd soon find
it," she declared. "Pretty clothes, and fine furniture, and
automobiles, and servants, and parties, and so on, are things--at
least with women--that go a long way toward satisfaction. I sometimes
don't blame girls who marry rich old men; they can put up with them
for the pleasures their money will procu