"Well, he impresses me as a real old-time villain--with the riding-boots and the whip and all that. 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' is my favorite play, it's so funny. This is a big story you've given me, Mr. O'Neil." "I realize that." "It has the biggest news value of anything Alaskan which has 'broken' for some time. I think you are a very nice person to interview, after all." "Wait! I don't want you to use a word of what I've told you." Miss Appleton's clearly penciled brows rose inquiringly. "Then why didn't you keep still?" "You asked me. I told you because you are Dan Appleton's sister. Nevertheless, I don't want it made public." "Let's sit down," said the girl with a laugh. "To tell you the truth, I didn't come here to interview you for my paper. I'm afraid I've tried your patience awfully." A faint flush tinged her clear complexion. "I just came, really, to get some news of Dan." "He's perfectly well and happy, and you'll see him in a few days." Miss Appleton nodded. "So he wrote, but I couldn't wait! Now won't you tell me all about him--not anything about his looks and his health, but little unimportant things that will mean something. You see, I'm his mother and his sister and his sweetheart." O'Neil did as he was directed and before long found himself reciting the details of that trying trip up the Salmon River. He told her how he had sent the young engineer out to run the preliminary survey for the new railroad, and added: "He is in a fair way to realize his ambition of having you with him all the time. I'm sure that will please you." "And it is my ambition to make enough money to have him with me," she announced. With an air of some importance she continued: "I'll tell you a secret: I'm writing for the magazines--stories!" She sat back awaiting his enthusiasm. When she saw that it was not forthcoming she exclaimed: "My! How you do rave over the idea!" "I congratulate you, of course, but--" "Now don't tell me that you tried it once. Of course you did. I know it's a harmless disease, like the measles, and that everybody has it when they're young. Above all, don't volunteer the information that your own life is full of romance and would make a splendid novel. They all say that." Murray O'Neil felt the glow of personal interest that results from the discovery in another of a congenial sense of humor. "I didn't suppose you had to write," he said. "Dan told me you had invested your fortune and were on Easy Street." "That was poetic license. I fictionized slightly in my report to him because I knew he was doing so well." "Then your investment didn't turn out fortunately?" Miss Appleton hesitated. "You seem to be a kindly, trusting person. I'm tempted to destroy your faith in human nature." "Please don't."