The railroad throws out branches, elevators are built, small towns spring up, and while you improve your holding comfort and often prosperity comes to you." "But in the meantime a little capital would help ?" "Of course," said Festing.

"The trouble is I haven't much, but I think I have enough to provide all that's strictly necessary." He thought Mrs.Dalton gave her sister a warning glance, but she said: "Well, you have my consent to ask Helen; but if she is willing to run the risk, there is a stipulation I must make." "So long as you consent, I'll agree to anything," Festing declared.

"I can't repay you for your trust, but I'll try to deserve it." Mrs.Dalton told him where Helen had gone, and setting off to meet her, he presently saw her come round a bend in a lane.

The sun had set and tall oaks, growing along the hedgerows, darkened the lane, but a faint crimson glow from the west shone between the trunks.

To the east, the quiet countryside rolled back into deepening shadow.