.

THE CURE COMPLETE.
In Nelson Flat the lupines were like spilled bluing in great, acre-wide blots upon the meadow grass.

Between cabin and creek bank a little plot had been spaded and raked smooth, and already the peas and lettuce and radishes were up and growing as if they knew how short would be the season, and meant to take advantage of every minute of the warm days.
Here and there certain plants were lifting themselves all awry from where they had been pressed flat by two small feet that had strutted heedlessly down the rows.
The cabin yard was clean, and the two small windows were curtained with cheap, white scrim.

All before the door and on the path to the creek small footprints were scattered thick.

It was these that Marie pulled up her hired saddle horse to study in hot resentment.
"The big brute!" she gritted, and got off and went to the cabin door, walking straight-backed and every mental and physical fiber of her braced for the coming struggle.