He's goin' to restock my place an' give me a chance to get on my feet.

He's goin' to put his shoulder behind me, he says, an' make me run a straight trail--takin' a mortgage on the place to secure him.

He give me a letter to his mother, sayin' I was to have what stock I wanted.

An' I'm to repay him when I get around to it.

Honey, I've got a chance, an' I'm never goin' to slip again!" Ruth walked to the door and threw it open, standing on the threshold and gazing out into the dull moonlight, across the vast sweep of plain from which came the low moaning of the night wind, laden with mystery.
For a long time, as she stood there, pride fought a savage battle with duty.