uld."

"If it isn't Jim who knows, it can be only one other," she reasoned,
"Mayor Brenchfield."

"Yes!"

"Is he likely to betray you?"

"He would if he felt free to do it;--but as things stand, he
daren't."

"Oh!"

That simple little word which can mean so many things, was Eileen's
answer.

She sighed, then she brightened up again.

"Well!--that has been got rid of, anyway."

On climbing the steepest part of the hill road, she questioned Phil
once more.

"Do you intend making blacksmithing your life's business?"

"Why? Isn't it a good calling?"

"Oh, yes! My dad was a blacksmith for the most of his life. But I
think you are intended for something different, something bigger than
that. You have had more education, for one thing, than my dear old
daddy had."

Phil laughed.

"That is quite flattering--but your dad has my education beaten a
thousand miles by his experience and shrewdness. I guess I shall have
to keep to blacksmithing until I get some money ahead and until that
'something different' that you speak of, turns up."

"I should dearly love to see you and Jim in partnership. You would
make a great team, for you never quarrel."

"Is that the secret of successful business partnership?"

"I think it is an important one of them."

"I daresay you are right," said Phil. "But what are we to do?"

"What do others do? Look at the men without brains, without even
business ability, who have made money--heaps of it--buying and
selling land right in this Valley, in this town, and who started in
without a dollar. Why,--I could name them by the score;--Fraser &
Somerville; McWilliams; Peter Brixton; McIntyre & Anderson, and even
that good-for-nothing, Rattlesnake Dalton;--why, the town swarms
with them. If they can do it, what could not two smart men, honest,
with up-to-date business methods, do? Property has been changing
owners hand-over-fist lately and I know it is merely the beginning.
Next year property will move faster than ever; money for investment
is pouring in; the people are flocking westward; values are rising;
the ranches are producing more than ever; prices are improving;
irrigation schemes are afoot;--why, it simply cannot be held back.
Dad, Mayor Brenchfield, Ben Todd,--they are all anticipating it."

Phil almost gasped at Eileen's enthusiasm.

"They are the monied land-owners, the vested interests," he put in.
"It suits them to anticipate."

"And, believe me, they will realise,"