With wool jumping, as it's going to do in the
next four years, the right kind of man can make himself independent for
life. My idea is to increase my holdings right along, and let my manager in
as a partner as soon as he shows he is worth it. Now that ranch-house is a
decent place. There's a pretty good school, ma'am, for the children. The
folks round that neighborhood may not have any frills, but--"
"Are you offering Tom the place as manager?" she demanded, in amazement.
"That was my idea, ma'am. It's not what you been used to, o' course, but if
you're looking for a change I thought I'd speak of it," he said
diffidently.
She looked at him in a dumb surprise. She, too, in her heart knew that this
man was blameless. He had done his duty, and had nearly lost his life for
it at the hands of her husband. Now, he had come to lift them out of the
hideous nightmare into which they had fallen. He had come to offer them
peace and quiet and plenty in exchange for the future of poverty and shame
and despair which menaced them. They were to escape into God's great hills,
away from the averted looks and whispering tongues and the temptations to
drown his trouble that so constantly beset the father of her children.
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