right to the bank fo’ me to get me fixed up fine, and fo’ my ticket to Californy! ‘Uncle Ben,’ she says—”

Luke Manders cut in crisply. “Oil. Her husband has——”

“Now, yo’ hold yo’ hosses,” the old fellow pleaded. “First off, they got ’em a little ranch—coupla acres, I reckon, and ’lowed they’d raise oranges, but what with dry years and frosts and hard times, why, they never got ahead. And Albert, he didn’t gain like she hoped he would, and say, they was just about down and out, but it’s darkest just before dawn, like the saying goes, and if they haven’t struck oil! Oil—on an orange ranch? Wouldn’t that kill you? And a gusher, she says! And now, ’stead of fo’getting the holler log, the way lots would do, why she wants I should come out and live with ’em the rest of my bawn days! ‘Uncle Ben,’ she says——”

Luke’s touch was insistent. “It’s glorious, Ben,[82] and I’m so happy for you!” Glen patted his shaking shoulder. “You’ve worked hard all your life and you’ve been kind, and it’s right that this should happen to you! And to-morrow I want to hear all about it, and all your plans, and I’d love to have you read the letter to me if you will!”

[82]

They left him smudging the tears into his grimy cheeks and trying to get his disheveled letter back into its envelop. “But say—wait a minute!” He called after them. “I never told you about Luke! He’s——”

“I’ll tell her,” said Luke curtly. “Come, Glen!”

“Poor old Ben! Isn’t it wonderful for him? To slave all these years, here, without seeing anything else, and now— Oh, can’t you just picture him out there—basking in it all?” She glanced at his absorbed face. “But what about you, Luke? Does this mean——”

He nodded. “Yes. Carey’s made me superintendent. He and Ben were talking of it, just as I came in. At first, Carey figured I was too young, but Ben made him see that I knew the ropes better than any outsider—that I’ve been learning, day in, day out, for five years——”

“Of course you have! Of course you’re capable! Oh, Luke, I’m so glad for you, and so proud!” She met his eyes and almost gasped at the blaze of excitement and exultation she saw there. He was[83] breathing like a runner who has just breasted the tape. “Dad would be so proud,” she added, faltering a little. It was rather frightening to see his silence, his reserve, broken up like this. “Dad always said you would go far, Luke. He had 

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