d to laugh, but Mr. Pryor went out, and slammed the door,
until I looked to see if it had cracked from top to bottom; but we
didn't care if it had, we were so happy over having Leon back.

I went and picked up the money and carried it to father to put away,
and that time he took it. But even then he didn't stop to see if he
had all of it.

"You see!" I said, "I told you----"

"You did indeed!" said father. "And you almost saved our reason.
There are times when things we have come to feel we can't live without,
so press us, that money seems of the greatest importance. This is our
lesson. Hereafter, I and all my family, who have been through this,
will know that money is not even worth thinking about when the life and
honour of one you love hangs in the balance. When he can understand,
your brother shall know of the wondrous faith his Little Sister had in
him."

"Maybe he won't like what you and mother thought. Maybe we better not
tell him. I can keep secrets real well. I have several big ones I've
never told, and I didn't say a word about the Station when Leon said I
shouldn't."

"After this there will be no money kept on the place," said father.
"It's saving time at too great cost. All we have goes into the bank,
and some of us will cheerfully ride for what we want, when we need it.
As for not telling Leon, that is as your mother decides. For myself, I
believe I'd feel better to make a clean breast of it."

Mother heard, for she sobbed as she bathed Leon's feet, and when his
eyes came open so they'd stay a little while, he kept looking at her so
funny, between sips of hot milk.

"Don't CRY, mammy!" he said. "I'M all right. Sorry such a rumpus!
Let him fool me. Be smart as the next fellow, after this! Know how
glad you are to get the money!"

Mother sat back on her heels and roared as I do when I step in a
bumblebee's nest, and they get me. Leon was growing better every
minute, and he stared at her, and then his dealish, funny old grin
began to twist his lips and he cried: "Oh golly! You thought _I_
helped take it and went with him, didn't you?"

"Oh my son, my son!" wailed mother until she made me think of Absalom
under the oak.

"Well, I be ding-busted!" said Leon, sort of slow and wondering-like,
and father never opened his head to tell him that was no way to talk.

Mother cried more than ever, and between sobs she tried to explain that
I heard what the traveller man had said about how b