“You see, I've taken a great interest in her proposition ever since she sprung it on us,” Mr. Thaddler confided. “She's got the goods all right. But there was plenty against her here--you know what women are! And I made up my mind the supplies should be good and steady, anyhow. She had no trouble with her grocery orders; that was easy. Meat I couldn't handle--except indirectly--a little pressure, maybe, here and there.” And he chuckled softly. “But this ranch I bought on purpose.” Ross turned as if he had been stung. “You!” he said. “Yes, me. Why not? It's a good property. I got it all fixed right, and then I bought your little upstate shop--lock, stock and barrel--and gave you this for it. A fair exchange is no robbery. Though it would be nice to have it all in the family, eh?” Ross was silent for a few turbulent moments, revolving this far from pleasing information. “What'd I do it for?” continued the unasked benefactor. “What do you _think_ I did it for? So that brave, sweet little girl down here could have her heart's desire. She's established her business--she's proved her point--she's won the town--most of it; and there's nothing on earth to make her unhappy now but your pigheadedness! Young man, I tell you you're a plumb fool!” One cannot throw one's host out of his own swift-flying car; nor is it wise to jump out one's self. “Nothing on earth between you but your cussed pride!” Mr. Thaddler remorselessly went on. “This ranch is honestly yours--by a square deal. Your Jopalez business was worth the money--you ran it honestly and extended the trade. You'd have made a heap by it if you could have unbent a little. Gosh! I limbered up that store some in twelve months!” And the stout man smiled reminiscently. Ross was still silent. “And now you've got what you wanted--thanks to her, mind you, thanks to her!--and you ain't willing to let her have what she wants!” The young man moistened his lips to speak. “You ain't dependent on her in any sense--I don't mean that. You earned the place all right, and I don't doubt you'll make good, both in a business way and a scientific way, young man. But why in Hades you can't let her be happy, too, is more'n I can figure! Guess you get your notions from two generations back--and some!” Ross began, stumblingly. “I did not know I was indebted to you, Mr. Thaddler.” “You're not, young man, you're not! I ran that shop of yours a year--built up the business and sold it for more than I paid for this. So you've no room for heroics--none at all. What I want you to realize is that you're breaking the heart of the finest woman I ever saw. You can't bend that girl--she'll never give up. A woman like that has got more things to do than just marry! But she's pining for you all the same.