independent, but a man all through. I'd like to know if us middlemen do not represent a good part of the real backbone of the community, anyway? Wipe us out and what's left? The rich, growing richer, and the poor, growing poorer. We have done our share in making the country; now we can take a back seat."

And Cyrus Hayden, hurrying on, said to himself: "I never knew Sam to speak out like that before. Right or wrong, he was in earnest, and I guess I'll figure to wind up my affairs at once."

At that moment, Rachel, somewhat flushed, was being ushered into the presence of Judge Parlow's widow. The sweet-faced, dignified old lady was no unfamiliar figure, but Rachel had never met her personally. And her quick impulse to show Cyrus that she could be a practical collector faded to a shudder of dismay as the portly butler waved her into the appartment of simple luxury, and her feet felt clumsy and out of place in the soft, sinking carpet. A huge portrait of the departed magistrate eyed her severely from the wall. A green parrot in a habitation of gilded comfort, raspingly remarked: "Tut! tut! don't do that!" in exact imitation of the Judge. A desire to flee clutched the spirit of Mrs. Hayden, but she held herself bravely and smiled.

The smile of Rachel was extremely pleasing and counteracted the aggression of her look, which, by the way, was no indication of character; merely a brow contraction caused by slightly defective vision.

"Ah, sit down, my dear," greeted Mrs. Parlow, gazing alternately at Rachel and her card. "Mrs. Hayden. Yes, very glad to see you." "Tut! tut!" from the parrot.

The caller drew a long breath. "I-I have come," she commenced with hesitation, "to-to ask-"

"Don't say that!" interrupted the parrot harshly.

Poor Rachel's carefully concocted speech vanished from her brain. She looked distressedly from the mistress to the marplot and gasped.

"To be sure!" said her hostess. "He does annoy strangers sometimes with his chatter. I don't mind him." Then pressing an electric button by her chair, she whispered to the maid who instantly responded, "Remove Paul."

Paul being removed with shrieks of protestation, the old lady settled comfortably. "Now, my dear," she said, "you were about to ask-?"

Rachel cleared her throat resolutely. "I know it is out of the way," she said tremulously, "and I'm sure I don't know what you'll thing Mrs. Parlow, but my husband is awfully worried about his business, and I—I've come to see if you could help him out."

Her companion stared. "Why, why," she uttered, adjusting her spectacles, "I do not quite comprehend. Mr. Hayden has never asked me for money."

"I know it," burst out Rachel. "His father told him to never send you a bill-he--"

"I see I see," put in the other. "The Judge thought highly of Zachary Hayden. Why? Zachary was in my husband's regiment, my dear-they were real friends. How often he spoke of him in his last days. That man was a lion in a fight, Mary,' he'd say, 'and after a battle he was like a woman among the wounded, friend or foe.' would cut the very clothes from his back to tie up their hurts. Many a man has blessed him with his dying

He

breath' the old woman wiped her glasses. "Yes," she went on, "and when the Judge was taken, Zachary was one of the first to call. I recollect now he was, and I saw him. He wept, I think-yes, I remember his great red handkerchief. It was pitiful to see such a big strong man so affected. And shortly after I heard he was dead, too. Dear me! Sad days. Sad days."

She was far from mundane affairs as her faded eyes rested lovingly upon the stern features in the great gilt frame. Rachel arose. "I guess I'd better be going," she remarked a bit thickly. "Another time-"

"Oh! What was it? Don't go, my dear. Sit down again. Let me see. You spoke of it's being convenient for Mr. Hayden-Cyrus I've always called him-to receive a check."

"That was it. But no matter just now. He doesn't know I came. It worried me to have him so upset, and I started out without thinking, hoping I might help him."

"My

Mrs. Parlow pulled at her rings, looking greatly distressed. dear," she observed sorrowfully, "my bank account is overdrawn. I haven't a dollar in the house. What shall I do? Next month I have my remittance and Cyrus will get what is due him, although I haven't the faintest idea of the amount."

"It's all right," said Rachel, getting up again. "The only trouble is that he has to settle with the men who supply him, next Monday, or go out of business. It may be for the best."

"Go out of business!" ejaculated the widow sitting very erect. "He musn't think of it. Where will I get my meat?"

Rachel laughed weakly. "There

are other markets," she answered.

"I won't trade with them," cried Mrs. Parlow. "Indeed, the way matters are going on is ridiculous. Everyone wants their money and I've lately been horribly pestered for trifling bills that I never used to think of paying until it was perfectly convenient. I fail to understand it. Of course, I settle them at once, but it's very annoying to be dunned, and now I have overdrawn my account and have nothing for Cyrus. It's a shame. Even Mr. Quilberry, my grocer, has importuned me.

"Has he? Cyrus said he was having a hard time, too, and it wouldn't surprise him if Sam Quilberry went to the wall some day."

"What!" exclaimed Mrs. Parlow with a start.

A bright color rose in the wrinkled cheeks. "I wish to see Cyrus to-night," she said sharply. "Be sure and tell him. Come and see me again, my dear, and bring your little girl.”

"He's a boy," replied Rachel, laughing, and departed leaving her entertainer perusing the Judge's picture with a curiously decided expression.

"Get anything, Cyrus?" inquired his wife, when he returned from his call that evening.

The man sat down heavily. "I can't talk to-night, Rachel," he said hoarsely. "They say that when the Judge had a difficult case he used to consult with the old lady. I believe it. I told her everything, even to giving her a list of my debtors. Now, I'm going to bed."

During the three fine days ensuing, old Mrs. Parlow was noticed to drive about town at all hours.

Saturday morning Hayden met Quilberry, whose pursed mouth. a cheerful grin. "What's

wore

"F

ILL 'em plum full o' whiskey; that cures 'em. Why, when I wus a young un wus bit by a rattler and wus mightily afeard of tellin' maw. I know'd she'd guv me a whippin', but I got powerful sick and she jest know'd what wus the matter and filled me plum full o' whiskey. Ther snake? Why, I killed him, and cut off his rattles. Must allus kill ther snake. Now's their fust time I wus ever on ther cars. Be'n up along ter see Reuben's mammy. Reuben 's be'n on 'em lots. He told

me, 'Now don't yer be lookin' out ther winder or yer 'll git hurt;' but I say, if yer don't look about, yer don't see nothin', and I 'low I'm goin' ter see. Where'd you'uns come from? We'uns live ten mile on yon side ther mountain. Yes, I allus walks to an' fro. We'uns got a nice cabin and field o' corn. scattered two papers o' cabbage seed in ther plantin'. What we'uns goin' ter do with our crop? Sell it! 'Pears like heaps of folks don't know enough ter git ready fer ther time they 'll git hungry; then them

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