d
for a year, and consequently, further negotiations at this time are
impossible."

"Yes; I think I had better give him a strong hint to go away. It
irritates Farrel to have him in the house, although he'd never admit it
to us."

"I wonder, John, if it irritates him to have us in the house?"

"I wanted to leave to-day, but when he invited us to stay, you wouldn't
permit me to consider leaving," he reminded her.

"But, John, his manner was so hearty and earnest we had to accept.
Really, I think, we might have hurt his feelings if we had declined."

"Kay seemed happy to stay."

"That is another reason for accepting his invitation. I know she'll
enjoy it so here."

"I wouldn't be at all surprised," Parker replied, dryly. "She has
helped herself to the car and driver in order to aid Farrel at my
expense."

His humorous wife smiled covertly. Parker smoked contemplatively for a
quarter of an hour. Then,

"Here comes the smiling son of Nippon, John," Mrs. Parker remarked.

The potato baron entered the secluded patio and sat down beside them on
the porch. With a preliminary whistling intake of breath, he remarked
that it was a beautiful day and then proceeded, without delay, to
discuss the subject closest to his heart--the fertile stretches of the
San Gregorio valley.

Parker squirmed a trifle uneasily.

"As I explained to you this morning, Mr. Okada," he began, "our deal
has become a trifle complicated by reason of the wholly unexpected
return of Mr. Miguel Farrel."

"Very great misfortune," Okada sympathized. "Very great
disappointment."

Mrs. Parker favored him with a look of violent dislike and departed
abruptly, much to Okada's relief. Immediately he drew his chair close
to Parker's.

"You zink Mr. Farrel perhaps can raise in one year the money to redeem
property?" he demanded.

"I haven't the slightest information as to his money-raising ability,
other than the information given me by that man Pablo has just locked
up. If, as Loustalot informed me, Farrel has a judgment against him,
he is extremely liable to raise a hundred thousand or more to-day, what
with funds in bank and about fifteen thousand sheep."

"I zink Farrel not very lucky to-day wiz sheep, Mr. Parker."

"Well, whether he's lucky or not, he has our deal blocked for one year.
I can do nothing now until title to this ranch is actually vested in
me. I am morally certain Farrel will never redeem the property,
but--well, you re