f.

Toomey expatiated upon the merits of the proposition and the subsequent
opportunities if it went through, until a feverish spot burned on either
cheek-bone. And the burden of his refrain was that never since Noah came
out of the ark, "the sole survivor," and all the world his oyster, as it
were, had there been such a chance to "glom" everything in sight for a
song.

If Prentiss's eyes twinkled occasionally, Toomey was too intent upon
presenting his case in the strongest possible light to notice it; nor
did he desist until Prentiss displayed signs of restlessness. Then, not
to crowd his luck, he let the subject drop and sought to entertain him
with a running fire of humorous comments upon the passersby.

Toomey excelled at this, forgetting, as is frequently the case, that no
one of those whom he lampooned was as fitting a subject for ridicule as
himself.

During a pause he observed:

"By the way, there's a woman of your name living about here."

"So I've heard."

"No connection, of course--different spelling, but not apt to be in any
case." There was a covert sneer in his voice.

"How's that?" casually.

"She--" with a shrug--"well, she isn't up to much."

Prentiss stirred slightly.

"No?"

Toomey detected interest and lowered his voice.

"In fact, she's no good."

Prentiss sat quite still--the stillness of a man who takes a shock in
that way.

"They call her the 'Sheep Queen,' but we Old Timers know her as 'Mormon
Joe's Kate.' She shipped a while back, and just come home all dolled up.
Made a little money, no doubt, but any pinhead could do that, the way
prices are. She'll never get 'in,' though."

"'In' where?"

"In society. For a little burg," with pride, "you'd be surprised to know
how exclusive they are here." The speech showed what, among other
things, the years in Prouty had done to Toomey.

A half-inch of cigar burned to ashes between Prentiss's finger-tips
before he spoke.

"So--the Sheep Queen is ostracized?"

"Well--rather!" with unctuous emphasis. "My wife tried to take her
up--but she couldn't make it stick. Found it would hurt us in our
business, socially, and all that."

Prentiss raised his cigar to his lips and looked at Toomey through
slightly narrowed lids which might or might not be due to smoke as he
asked:

"Just what was her offense?"

Toomey laughed.

"It would be hard to say as to that. She came here under a cloud, and
has been under one ever since. She has n