ting form of Transley. His hat was off, and the perspiration stood on his sunburn

said Linder; "by thu

tness, that he wanted so many men and teams for a house excavation in the most exclusive part of the city. So far they had been building in the cheaper districts

ishly and clapped a

r," he said. "We're going to build

der echoed, i

expected it to happen to me, but it did, all of a

time, but had attributed it to the very successful operations in which his employer had be

to be the fortunate yo

you don't ever think of anything else. When you pass on there'll be no heaven for you unless they give you charge of a bunch of men and teams where you can

n't mean Y.D

with Y.D., if he didn't lose it through the lining of his vest-he handled it like it might have been a box of pills-bad pills, Linder-and I've got an architect figuring how much expense he can put on a house-he gets a commission on the cost, you s

hunder.... Linder, when you wake up you'll be dead.... After her practically sa

It was a round circle.... He threw himself into the building of Transley's house with as much fidelity as if it had been his own. He gave his undivided attention to Transley's interests, making dollars for him

sured her that he was making money faster than he possibly could spend it, and even if not, money had no nobler mission than to bring her happiness. He explained the blue-prints of the house, and discussed with her details of the appointments. As the

oked forward to her marriage with Transley with the proper delight of a bride-to-be, and indeed it was a prospect that could well be contemplated with pleasure.... Transley had won the complete confidence of her father and when doubts assailed her Zen found in that fact a very considerable comfort. Y.D. was a shrewd man; a man who seldom guessed wrong. Zen did not admit tha

rant was a very likeable man, but he was not eligible as a husband, and she could not marry two, in any case. Zen entertained no girlish delusions about there being only one man in the world. On the contrary, she was convinced that there were very many men in the world, and, among the better types, there was, perhaps, no

ities about the old ranch buildings such as they had never known since Jessie Wilson came to finish Y.D.'s up-bringing, nor even then. The good word spread throughout the foothill country and down over the prairies, and many a la

at least reflect so much glory upon him personally. He basked in the reflected glow of his daughter's beauty and popularity, as happily as the big cat lying on the sunny side of the bunk-house. He found all sorts of excuses for invading where his presence was little

ot a bomb-shell at him. "What do you propo

er with the suit

. Your town suit is all right for selling steers, although I won't say that it hasn

od suit," he pr

y, Y.D., it will not do for this occasion. You

ant with a w

ou'll have to deck yourself out in a

to go the limit?-but as for me, 'tain't me that's gettin' married, is it? Standin' up before all them cow punchers in a white shirt!" The bitterness of such disgrace cut the old rancher no less kee

mitted to the salesman that he perso

visitin' out at the ranch, an' he hefts about the same

ly in his room and awaited the day of

ests, and the general understanding was to be given out that the countryside as a whole would be welcome. All could not be taken care of in the house, so Y.D. gave orders that the hay was to be c

both sexes, came on horseback, with many an exciting impromptu race by the way. Y.D. received them all in the yard, commenting on the horses and the weather, and how the steers were wintering, and revealing, at the proper moments, the location of a well-filled stone jug. The faithful Linder was on hand

central room, lavishly decorated with flowers which Transley had sent from town in a heated automobile. After the ceremony the principals and the older peo

he had no very special girl friend, and that seemed the simplest way out of the problem of selecting someone for this honor. She was, however, amp

on of next year's hay. Zen had been so insistent upon an invitation being sent to Mr. and Mrs. Landson, that Y.D., although fearing a snub for his pains, at last conceded the point.

ion reached him. "Landson, hear me now! I wouldn't take a million dollars fo

he was being reminded through the door that he wasn't roping a steer, and everybody was waiting. At the last moment

"Will I do in this?" he a

to her father this experience was a positive ordeal. So she just slipped her arm through his and whispered,

alm; Transley handsome, delighted, self-possessed. His good luck was the subject of many a comment, both inside and out of t

d that the first dance must belong to Transley, but after that she danced with the young ranchers and cowboys with strict impartiality. And even as she danced she found herself wondering if, among all this representation of the countryside, that one upon whom her thoughts had turned so much should

appear. Evidently he prefer

ll and alone. Y.D. sat down in the corner of the big room by the fire, and saw strange pictures in its dying embers. Zen.... Zen!... Transley was a good fellow, but how much a man will take with scarce a thank-you!... Presently Y.D. became aware of a hand resting upon his shoulder,