iumph.

"From them least of all," cried Elnora stoutly. "From a stranger sooner
than from them, to whom I owe so much more than I ever can pay now."

"Well, you don't have to," said Mrs. Comstock. "Maggie just selected
these things, because she is more in touch with the world, and has got
such good taste. You can pay as long as your money holds out, and if
there's more necessary, maybe I can sell the butcher a calf, or if
things are too costly for us, of course, they can take them back. Put on
the waist now, and then you can look over the rest and see if they are
suitable, and what you want."

Elnora stepped into the adjoining room and closed the door. Mrs.
Comstock picked up the bucket and started for the well with it. At the
bedroom she paused.

"Elnora, were you going to wash these arrow points?"

"Yes. The Bird Woman says they sell better if they are clean, so it can
be seen that there are no defects in them."

"Of course," said Mrs. Comstock. "Some of them seem quite baked. Shall I
put them to soak? Do you want to take them in the morning?"

"Yes, I do," answered Elnora. "If you would just fill the pail with
water."

Mrs. Comstock left the room. Wesley Sinton sat with his back to the
window in the west end of the cabin which overlooked the well. A
suppressed sound behind him caused him to turn quickly. Then he arose
and leaned over Margaret.

"She's out there laughing like a blamed monkey!" he whispered
indignantly.

"Well, she can't help it!" exclaimed Margaret.

"I'm going home!" said Wesley.

"Oh no, you are not!" retorted Margaret. "You are missing the point.
The point is not how you look, or feel. It is to get these things in
Elnora's possession past dispute. You go now, and to-morrow Elnora will
wear calico, and Kate Comstock will return these goods. Right here I
stay until everything we bought is Elnora's."

"What are you going to do?" asked Wesley.

"I don't know yet, myself," said Margaret.

Then she arose and peered from the window. At the well curb stood
Katharine Comstock. The strain of the day was finding reaction. Her chin
was in the air, she was heaving, shaking and strangling to suppress
any sound. The word that slipped between Margaret Sinton's lips shocked
Wesley until he dropped on his chair, and recalled her to her senses.
She was fairly composed as she turned to Elnora, and began the fitting.
When she had pinched, pulled, and patted she called, "Come see if you
think this fi