n the liberty of entering an
appearance for me, along with you, in the case. I told him I'd attend to
my own lawsuits, and that he could just scratch his appearance off the
docket."

The presumption of her lawyer seemed to obscure all other issues for the
moment. Morton Bassett was annoyed to be kept waiting for an explanation
that was clearly due him as her co-defendant; he controlled his
irritation with difficulty. Her imprudence in having approached his
enemy filled him with forebodings; there was no telling what compromises
she might have negotiated with Edward G. Thatcher.

"I suppose you shamed him out of it?" he suggested.

"Shamed him? I _scared_ him out of it! He owns a lot of property in this
town that's rented for unlawful purposes, and I told him I'd prosecute
him; that, and a few other things. He offered to buy me out at a good
price, but he didn't get very far with that. It was a good figure,
though," she added reflectively.

His spirits rose at this proof of her loyalty and he hastened to
manifest his appreciation. His wife's fears would be dispelled by this
evidence of her aunt's good will toward the family.

"I rather imagined that he'd be glad to quit if he saw an easy way out,
and I guess you gave it to him. Now about your stock, Aunt Sally. I
don't want you to be brought into my troubles with Thatcher any further.
I appreciate your help so far, and I'm able now to pay for your shares.
I don't doubt that Ed offered you a generous price to get a controlling
interest. I'll write a check for any sum you name, and you'll have my
gratitude besides."

He drew out his check-book and laid it on the table, with a feeling that
money, which according to tradition is a talkative commodity, might now
conclude the conversation. Mrs. Owen saw the check-book--looked at it
over her glasses, apparently without emotion.

"I'm not going to sell those shares, Morton; not to you or anybody
else."

"But as a matter of maintaining my own dignity--"

"Your own dignity is something I want to speak to you about, Morton.
I've been watching you ever since you married Hallie, and wondering just
where you'd bump. You and Edward Thatcher have been pretty thick and
you've had a lot of fun out of politics. This row you've got into with
him was bound to come. I know Edward better--just a little better than I
know you. He's not a beautiful character, but he's not as bad as they
make out. But you've given him a hard rub the wr