e that I knows of."

"I'd back you up," said Quincy, "but I've got something against you, and
I will not agree to put my money into that store until you explain to me
something that you told me several weeks ago. I don't say but that you
told me the truth as far as it went, but you didn't tell me the whole
truth, and that's what I find fault with you for."

Hiram's eyes had dilated, and he looked at Quincy with a wild glance of
astonishment. Could he believe his ears? Here was this young man, a
millionaire's son, saying that he would have backed him up in business
but for the fact that he had told him a wrong story. Hiram scratched his
head and looked perplexed.

"True as I live, Mr. Sawyer, I don't remember ever tellin' you a lie
since I've known yer. I may have added a little somethin' to some of my
stories that I have brought inter yer, jest to make them a little more
interesting and p'r'aps ter satisfy a little pussonal spite that I might
have agin some o' the parties that I was tellin' yer about, but I know
as well's I'm standin' here that I never told yer nothin' in the way of
a lie to work yer any injury. You've alwus treated me white, and if
there's one thing that Mandy Skinner says she can't abear, it's a man
that tells lies."

"Then," remarked Quincy with a smile, "you think a good deal of Miss
Mandy Skinner's opinion?"

"I ain't never seen any girl whose opinion I think more of," answered
Hiram.

"Did you ever see any girl that you thought more of?" continued Quincy.

"Waal, I guess it's an open secret 'round town," said Hiram, "that I'd
marry her quicker'n lightnin', if she'd have me."

"Well, why won't she have you?" persisted Quincy.

"That's easy to answer," said Hiram. "You stated the situation purty
plainly yourself when you counted up my income, ten dollars a month and
my food and two suits of clothes. How could I pervide for Mandy out o'
that?"

"Well," asked Quincy, "supposing I bought that grocery store for you and
you got along well and made money. Do you think Mandy would consent to
become Mrs. Maxwell?"

"I can't say for sure, Mr. Sawyer, but I think Miss Mandy Skinner would
be at a loss for any good reason for refusin' me, in case what you jest
talked about come to pass," said Hiram.

"Now," proceeded Quincy, "we will settle that little matter that I
referred to a short time ago. You remember you were telling me your war
experiences. You said you were never shot, but that you were