. As it is, they's about a 'unnerd
thousand short some'eres."

Fairchild looked up.

"What's the scheme?"

"To call a meeting of the stock'olders and transfer all that money over
to a special fund to buy Blue Poppy stock. We 'll 'ave to raise money
anyway to work the mine like we ought to. And it 'd cost something.
You always 'ave to underwrite that sort of thing. I sort of like it,
even if we 'd 'ave to sell stock a little below par. It 'd keep Ohadi
from getting a bad name and all that."

"I think so too." Anita Richmond laughed, "It suits me fine."

Fairchild looked down at her and smiled.

"I guess that's the answer," he said. "Of course that does n't include
the Rodaine stock. In other words, we give a lot of disappointed
stockholders par value for about ninety cents on the dollar. But
Farrell can look after all that. He 's got to have something to keep
him busy as attorney for the company."

A step on the veranda, and Mother Howard entered, a package under her
arm, which she placed in Anita's lap. The girl looked up at the man
who stood beside her.

"I promised," she said, "that I 'd tell you about the Denver road."

He leaned close.

"That is n't all you promised--just before I left you this morning,"
came his whispered voice, and Harry, at the window, doubled in laughter.

"Why did n't you speak it all out?" he gurgled. "I 'eard every word."

Anita's eyes snapped.

"Well, I don't guess that's any worse than me standing behind the
folding doors listening to you and Mother Howard gushing like a couple
of sick doves!"

"That 'olds me," announced Harry. "That 'olds me. I ain't got a word
to sye!"

Anita laughed.

"Persons who live in glass houses, you know. But about this
explanation. I 'm going to ask a hypothetical question. Suppose you
and your family were in the clutches of persons who were always trying
to get you into a position where you 'd be more at their mercy. And
suppose an old friend of the family wanted to make the family a present
and called up from Denver for you to come on down and get it--not for
yourself, but just to have around in case of need. Then suppose you
went to Denver, got the valuable present and then, just when you were
getting up speed to make the first grade on Lookout, you heard a shot
behind you and looked around to see the sheriff coming. And if he
caught you, it 'd mean a lot of worry and the worst kind of gossip, and
maybe you 'd have to g