the need of sympathy, and Sadie could be trusted.

"He didn't see, or didn't mind, that his going away would bear out the
wicked story!" she exclaimed with sparkling eyes. "I feel that was the
worst."

"I don't know that it looks quite as bad as you think. It's a common
thing for a farmer who has lost his crop to go off and work on a new
railroad, particularly if he has teams the construction boss can use.
Anyhow, I guess the thing will come right, and I'll help if I can. But I
want to see my way before I move."

Helen did not answer, and soon afterwards Sadie left the homestead. She
said nothing to Charnock about her visit, but started for the settlement
next morning and informed herself about what had happened at the
poolroom and what people thought. Then she drove home, and getting back
at dusk, sat down opposite Charnock, who lounged in a basket chair with
a pipe in his mouth. Her eyes twinkled with rather grim humor.

"You don't look as if anything bothered you," she said.

"It's possible," Charnock agreed. "I suppose I'm lucky because I have
nothing much to bother about."

"You wouldn't bother about it, anyhow. You leave that kind of thing to
me."

Charnock gave her a quick glance. She was not angry, which was something
of a relief, because Sadie was difficult when she let herself go.
Besides, he was not conscious of having done anything to vex her since
he gave Wilkinson the cheque. But she looked resolute.

"I've a good excuse," he answered. "I've got a remarkably capable wife."

"We'll cut out the compliments. I don't think you have seen any of the
boys from the settlement since Festing left."

Charnock said he had not done so, and she gave him a thoughtful look.

"I suppose you can't remember when you last did something useful;
something that would help somebody else?"

"It's a painful confession, but I can't remember. Still I've some
experience of being helped along a way I didn't want to go, which leads
me to believe it's often kinder to leave folks alone."

"Anyhow, you have done some harm."

"I'm afraid that's true. I don't know that I meant to do much harm, but
it's generally easier than doing good. For example, I've given you some
trouble; but at the moment I can't think of a new offense."

"You can quit joking and put down that newspaper. It looks as if you
didn't know why Festing left?"

Charnock said he could not guess, and got up abruptly when Sadie told
him. He kicked the newspape