Her only chance, thought Kate, lay in marrying a farmer having about a thousand acres of land.

If she could do that, her father would let her come home again sometime.

She read the letter slowly over, then tearing it in long strips she cross tore them and sifted the handful of small bits on the water, where they started a dashing journey toward the river.

Mrs.Holt, narrowly watching her, turned with snaky gleaming eyes to her son and whispered: "A-ha! Miss Smart Alec has a secret!".