"A 'stranger,'" Laura Macpherson repeated. "A 'stranger' who asked to be called 'Jerry' the first thing. We are all so well acquainted with this 'stranger' that we wouldn't want to give her up now." "But I must give you up pretty soon." Jerry spoke earnestly. "Why 'must'? Has the East too strong a hold for the West to break?" York asked. "I came out here because I believed my land would support me, and I had all sorts of foolish dreams of what I might find here that would be new and romantic." Jerry's eyes had a far-away look in them as she recalled the unrealized picture of her prairie domain. "You haven't answered my question yet," York reminded her. Jerry dropped her eyes, the bloom deepened on her fair cheek, and she clasped her small hands together. For a long time no word was spoken. "I didn't answer your question. I am not going back to Philadelphia. There must be something else besides land in the West," Jerry said, at last. "Yes, _we_ are here. Do stay right here with us," Laura Macpherson urged, warmly. Every day the companionship of this girl had grown upon her, for that was Jerry's gift. But to the eager invitation of her hostess the girl only shook her head. York Macpherson sat combing his fingers through the heavy brown waves of his hair, a habit of his when he was thinking deeply. But if a vision of what might be came to him unbidden now, a vision that had come unbidden many times in the last two weeks, making sweeter the smile that won men to him, he put it resolutely away from him for the time. He must help this girl to help herself. Romance belonged to other men. He was not of the right mold for that--not now, at least. "I heard to-day that there is need of a mathematics teacher in our high-school for next year. It pays eighty dollars a month," he said. "Oh, York," Laura protested, earnestly. "You know Jerry never thought of such a thing as teaching. And I really must have her here. You are away so much, you know you are." But her brother only smiled. When York Macpherson frowned he might be giving in, but his sister knew that his smile meant absolute resistance. "Ponk was talking to me to-day. He is the treasurer of the school board now, and he mentioned the vacancy. He was casting about for some one fitted to teach mathematics. Even though his mind runs more on his garage than on education, he has a deep interest in the schools. He admires your ability to manage a car so much it occurred to him that you might consider this position. Fine course of reasoning, but he is sure of his ground." "Let me think it over," Jerry said, slowly. "And then forget it," Laura suggested. "York and I are invited out this evening. Won't you come with us? It is just a little informal doings across the river." "I would rather be alone to-night," her guest replied. So the Macphersons let her have her way. IX IF A WOMAN WENT RIGHT WITH HERSELF