All right. Well, thank you for tuning in to the quail road community meeting. My name is just the nailer. I'm not the project manager. Our project manager has had some family issues that they needed to take care of. So I'm filling in as I've been involved with the project from the get go also on the call. We have Missy Christian who's the design engineer. So she'll be able to answer any detailed questions that we have any that pop up. I looked it on this page is the is the project website. So if you want to get updates in the future, you can go to that website and see any updates. So this project is being brought to you through the transportation public work group. It's been sponsored by the stormwater division. It's a part of our hazardous roadway over topping mitigation program, which focuses on high priority locations across the city. Where we where there's water stormwater runoff that over tops the roadway and creates a life safety threat. So that's where this program. This project has come in. And we're looking to mitigate that type of flooding. This specific project is located on quail road just north of Elizabeth. East of a 20. It's right there by Eugene McCrary Park. Just another kind of aerial image showing what it looks like right now. And this also shows in blue there what's called the floodplain. And the floodplain here is really kind of what happens when Lake Arlington floods. That's really what drives a lot of the flooding in this area. Some other images of what quail road looks like right now, just from Google street view and some site visit. And you can see it's kind of a low, low roadway. So the next handful of slides are going to kind of skip through the, we're going to go through the scope of what this project includes is going to be kind of what might the, what the construction phasing might look like whenever that comes to it. So this is what it looks like an existing conditions. You can kind of see the culverts there in the middle of the screen. The existing pipes that are that are roughly here. So one of the first things that'll take place is we'll remove and replace with larger culverts will be taller as well. So the roadway is going to be elevated. The culverts will be extended a little bit as well. And then we'll repave the road with a concrete street section. And then shown in gray are kind of the asphalt tie in where we'd be connecting into existing pavement. We're extending this far because we are elevating the roadway again, because that's going to help with the flood protection. And then we'll put riprap along the lake to prevent erosion. So there's no future concerns about erosion taking place because one of the things that does happen with this lake and for those of you who've been around there, it does tend to drop in water level significantly. So we want to make sure that we have so rep to protect it on both the upstream and downstream end so that we don't have any maintenance issues moving forward. And then we'll be putting in 10 foot trail section on the on the bottom side or on the east side of the roadway, which this kind of lines up with the city's active transportation plan. So this provides space for a future trail to connect that our regional transportation team has been looking at for trail connectivity in the area. And then there'll be a sidewalk also on the west side as well. So that's kind of what it's going to look like in the finish the area that's shown in the yellow hatching. Now, this is an area that we're going to have to since we're elevating the roadway and taking away some of the flood volume that's accounted for for Lake Arlington. We'll need to mitigate that by creating this cut in that yellow area. So we'll have to lower that land to account for the volume that we're going to take up with the new roadway with the elevation. This is this is a means of making sure that Lake Arlington performs kind of as designed so that there's no loss and storage on the lake. So project benefits that the big, the big benefit from this project is that we're going to reduce the over topping likelihood. Of note, though, what I do want to make sure I point out is if Lake Arlington level gets up to what Lake Arlington says it will hold. The war, the road will still be underwater. There's no real way to physically mitigate for that. But what this will mitigate for is during those heavy storm events when Lake Arlington is below the roadway. The water should then be able to pass underneath the roadway as opposed to over topping it like it does today. It's going to improve roadway safety because we're going to be mitigating that flooding hazard. We're estimating there about 1400 cars per day that use this roadway. Obviously, that's not going to count. There's an event at the at the park, which would increase that traffic. But so we're going to improve the paving surface by creating creating a concrete roadway. We're going to improve the roadway safety by by elevating the roadway so that the water goes under the road instead of over it. We're going to provide those pedestrian safety items that will connect into future plans. And we'll also be improving maintenance access by providing a ramp that's going to be on the upstream side of the culvert or the west side of the roadway. So that our maintenance staff can get in there and remove any trees or debris that that clog that might clog the culverts. Project details where we're in this. We're currently in design right now. We're anticipating completing design in about a year in the spring of 2025. Our right of way acquisition permitting went to say concluding that in spring of 2026. There's some kind of coordination that we'll need to do with Lake Arlington in the city of Arlington as we kind of have multiple entities involved in at this location. And then we intend to bid an award in summer of 2026 with construction to start hopefully in fall of 2026 and then to last about a year is what we're anticipating at this point. We are early on in the design. So as we develop additional information, these these schedules may change, but this is what we're targeting right at this point. Funding we're estimated construction to cost about 5.7 million. And that's funded from our 2023 stormwater revenue bond program. I do want to point out that there will be additional community meetings in the future at the preliminary design phase, which we consider to be a 60% plan set and then a final design, which is when we have about 90% on the plan and then pre construction. And that's when we'll have our contractor on board. And so a lot of the detailed questions that well, what's the access going to look like. What, what, what's the road is really going to be closed. So those are the times that we're going to really start having that information.  Of note, there are no homes in the immediate vicinity that will be impacted by this construction. And as I mentioned before, the schedule, it may accelerate a little bit if the permitting comes in, if our coordination with Arlington comes in a little bit quicker than we're anticipating. So that just, you know, here's the, I mentioned the website earlier. This is kind of what the website looks like now. And then next week we'll have an update with this video link on it. So anybody who wants to see this will be able to access it on the website as well. I also want to point to, you know, there'll be project updates on the website. There'll be project meetings that'll get posted on the website as well. So with that, I'll open it up to any questions. The project manager is Jeff Smith. And again, unfortunately, he was unable to be here for some family issues. But his contact information is on the screen. And again, the project website is on the screen as well. And with that, if there are any questions for anybody on the call, I'd be happy to take those. None from me. It's good presentation. Well, thank you for being here. If that's all, I'm going to go ahead and stop the recording and then we'll get this posted to the website.


What is going on guys, welcome back to the channel and I appreciate you being here.  But before we go any further people, I'm giving away exclusive emblem and sparrow cords and also gift cards for you too if you want to spend on silver for bright engrams or dawning engrams that's completely up to you. To win some, simply drop a like on this video and join my discord server linked within the video description. Ok, so to get this Segeera Ghost Shell you simply have to complete all verses offered by Brother Vance. Two weeks ago Vance had four weapon verses for you to complete. If you did indeed complete those verses last week you would have had a further five. The sword which was the initial one, then you got the perfect paradox of world quest verse. Once you had done that you had three other verses you could do. Verse 9 for the auto rifle, verse 5 which was for sidearm and verse 2 which was for the SMG. If you did manage to farm and do all of them which was quite a job, I just about managed to do it. This week Brother Vance will have verse 7 and verse 8 for you guys. Verse 7 is for the hand cannon and you need to find one advanced paradox amplifier and two fossilized Hermione blossoms.  Then collect verse 8 from Vance which is for the pulse rifle. For this you need two advanced paradox amplifiers and two fossilized Hermione blossoms. So the grind is real it really is. Now once you have farmed them people simply head back to Vance so you can forge the last weapon the pulse rifle and bam as simple as that people you are rewarded the Segeera's Ghost Shell. Now I actually called this a while back and knew this would be the way it was obtained. It was pretty obvious not gonna lie but yeah guys that's it straightforward it's simple you need to complete every verse Brother Vance offers in order to collect this exotic Segeera Ghost Shell. Hope you guys enjoyed the video if you did leave a like really does help me out thanks as always for stopping by people and hopefully I will see you on that next one.


August is hot and so are the savings at Appalachian Wireless, where all smartphones are 50% off. Even the 64, 128, and 256-gig models, two-year agreement required. Better service, bigger savings. That's today's Appalachian Wireless and East Kentucky Network Company. Many in our region are working to diversify the economy. In Mingo County, under a Coldfield Development non-profit umbrella, Reclaim Appalachia is working to diversify, grow, and feed the local economy. Our purpose really is to take mining-impacted lands and develop those into a variety of different kinds of sustainable development projects. Reclaim Appalachia has obtained land on 22-mine road for an experimental agroforestry site with the intent to expand within the next year. This is a place where the Mingo County Redevelopment Authority has given us about 200 acres to experiment with a variety of different kinds of agricultural and forestry projects to see what's going to work the best on strip-mined lands. There are several rotational grazing plots on site. The five-acre plots contain either chicken, goats, or hogs. The whole time they're all adding different kinds of manure to the site. They're really building up the nutrients, the organic matter, and the health of the soil. And so over the long term, you know, these lands where these different animals have been on, that's going to become much more healthy for them transitioning into other kinds of crops. Along with the rotational grazing plots, the site houses experimental orchards with several different crops and plants. This is very rocky ground, you know, any kind of land that's reclaimed ground after strip-mining. It's not going to have a whole lot of organic matter, basically no topsoil, but it's got a lot of minerals. The project works alongside refresh Appalachia and plans to process the animals and sell eggs to local restaurants, farmers markets, and businesses. In Dale Barton, Shelby Still, EKB News.


On the eighth day, God said, you know what, let's go back to darkness. That's a quote from a book called The Bible. I thought this would be a good quote to start off our conference because I think it's important to remember that while it feels like we're on the crest of this rising interest in flotation, the essential core of what we're offering has been around for the breath of human history. In fact, just earlier this morning, I was thumbing through Beowulf, and right there, page 76, the men rejoice with great hurrah as Beowulf had brought the salts to fill their vats of isolation. I mean, it can't be more clear than that. For millennia, people have been experiencing the profound benefits of the flotation tank.  When you start looking, you begin to see references to this idea of quiet and isolated contemplation all over the place. In the art of war, Sun Tzu famously said, we're only people to all use flotation tanks. This book would be irrelevant. Joseph Conrad, of course, has a beautiful memoir about his love for flotation, Heart of Darkness. Edgar Allen Poe even has an entire poem written about how he had to soundproof his float center against the thumping noise that was coming in from under the ground. It's clear that the work we do is a necessary aid to the health of human civilization. We are the harbingers of sanity, the gatekeepers of restoration. We are the balance to the full-speed, nonstop drag race that is human society. As Dr. Seuss so wisely put it in his memorable children's book, The Goat and the Float. The salt gets here, the salt gets there, the salt gets fricking everywhere. But once you're in that lightless layer, you re-emerge with how to care. It's this ability that float tanks have to wipe away the petty in order to better see the profound that has drawn so many people in over the years. And it's the reason we're gathered here today, to forget about all of our small differences and to instead celebrate our large commonalities. And through that celebration to grow stronger as a group. If you don't mind, there's one more completely legitimate quote that I thought seemed particularly relevant for today. It's from none other than our old friend William Shakespeare. Not many people know this, but Shakespeare actually wrote an alternate ending to Hamlet. At the end, after everybody is killed, sorry if that's a spoiler for anybody. Fortinbras marches onto stage and amidst a cacophony of trumpets, he announces welcome to the 2017 Float Conference.


What is good, mobile squad? And welcome back to our channel. Please ignore our messy room. We have not unpacked and did our laundry since we got home from traveling since my bridal shower. And I feel like that's like the hardest thing to do when you get home from like, traveling is like, ah, you gotta unpack and do laundry. It's just a fricking mess. Also, look at how cute our bedsheets are. We got the like viral TikTok sheet bed that everyone was raving about all over TikTok. And of course, if you know me, I always hop on the trends. I don't know why, but like, I like, just love it. But also ignore my face. I'm peeling because I got another chemical peel. I'm getting on the right track. I just got my blood work done today. It's all gonna be good. And I'm excited to get my face clear and ready to go before the wedding. But the reason you guys clicked into this video is because you guys read the title. And yes, I'm gonna be telling him that it was trash.  But pretty much what I'm gonna tell him today is I'm gonna like pull him aside and be like, babe, like it was trash. Like it was not good last night. Like I don't know what happened, but like our connection's not there. It was just like your work was horrible. Like I'm just gonna totally like just tell him it was really bad and it really turned me off and it wasn't attractive and see how he reacts. I feel like this prank is so evil because if Bill was to tell me that it was trash because of me, I would be so upset. Like, but you know what? Bill has been pulling these pranks on me, thinking he's funny, rating other girls and doing all this other stuff. Well, I'm gonna hit him where it hurts the most this time because I feel like my pranks have been easy on him, but this one I feel like is gonna like really dig deep. So make sure you guys are hashtag Team Mariah in the comments right now. And I also just really wanna say thank you guys so much for all the love on the video that I posted about I've Been Struggling. You guys left the most sweetest comments and you guys really just lifted me up last night. Like typically I'll put on concealer and I'll like cover my face, but you guys make me feel so like at home when I film and like I just feel confident and comfortable and like that is the best feeling ever. I just wanna say thank you guys so much for just the constant love and support that you guys show and the messages you guys have sent me.   So we appreciate it. Makes you guys are following us on all of our social media cause we're gonna be doing another Christmas giveaway. We are actually sending out our Apple Watch giveaway winners other packages this week. We're super excited. I have crazy cats in here. Scar, show them how big you got. Look at how big this guy is. Scar, look at him. He's just growing up so quick. Look at him. He is a little panther going cuckoo caca. Oh my goodness gracious. But all right. I think Bill is actually in the gaming room right now. So I have an idea of just going in there and setting up the camera. I don't really know how I'm gonna do it yet, but I'm just gonna go in there, tell him I need to talk and tell him that it was trash. Oh, I'm nervous and I feel really bad doing this, but baby, team Araya, you're not safe around me, okay? You think you can prank me? Well, it is game on, so let's go prank him. I'm excited. All right, let's go. Hi. What are you doing? I'm having it. I think I'm gonna get on fort. Fortnight? Mm-hmm. You all just made up of it or what? Yeah, if you want. And nobody in the world. That's because everyone's at work. I know. So last night was fun, wasn't it? Yeah. You really do it? Yeah, why? Round two? Yeah, you're kind of good right now. Really? Yeah. What do you mean? I don't know. You said round two then? You want to do round two? We can. I don't know if I want to do round two. Oh, wait a minute. Why are you being weird while you're acting all sus? Because I'm scared to tell you something. And I'm scared that it's like, I know it's gonna probably like hit D. What? I don't know. Why are you being weird? I liked last night, but it was, I don't know, not the best. It wasn't like how it usually is. Can you stop playing for a second? I'm being serious. You're joking. That's a lie.  I'm not. You're messing around. It just didn't like, it wasn't gonna satisfy you. What? Not satisfying? It's kind of trash. Bro, you're lying. No, it was really bad last night.  You're lying. Why? I know.  Are you dead serious right now? I'm being serious.  That's why I went quiet last night. Look at me. I'm, I'm migrave. Babe, I'm just trying to have a conversation with you. I don't want to swear. That's not what you were saying last night. No, I wasn't lying. I'm not really saying, I'm not, Bill. You're f***ing me. I'm not. It wasn't good.  My mouth was wet. Like your, your tongue kissing was horrible. Like, I don't know what you've been doing. Is it because you haven't been kissing me a lot? Like, I don't know. That was bad. The way you were just like, feeling me like. What? Why are you rapping on me right now? Babe, are you serious right now? Yes. I'm trying to have a conversation about it. Because like, obviously like- So what?  Like, I don't know what you're trying to tell me. You said it was trash.   You're lying. I'm not lying, babe. I'm being serious. You're being mean. You're being rude. There's so much better way to say it. Like, what did I do wrong? I'm not trying to make you feel like it's- What did I do wrong? Cause you literally said it was trash. You were like, oh yeah. Yeah, I just didn't feel good. It was just like, boring. Like, there was no spice. Like, it was just like- Alright. I was just laying there. Go, get out of the- I don't even want to talk to you. You're just gonna come in here and talk to me. Why? I'm not reping on you. We had a good time. We had a good time. We should discuss what we did a bit better. You should be like, okay, I'm sorry. Right, discuss. Tell me what I need to do better. Because you said you literally called it trash. Like that, I'm not- I don't wanna- I'm gonna know where you go. Instead, you should say I'm sorry. Oh, I don't talk to you anymore. I'm sorry, you felt that way.  Fix what I did? I didn't even know that I did anything wrong. So I don't know what you understood. That's why I'm calling you and I'm talking to you. I'm trying to have a genuine conversation. But you're getting all upset. Like, I wasn't trying to hurt your feelings. Okay, it's not about getting upset. It's just like you're being- Like, that you kinda- That was kinda rude. Well, it was trash.  Yeah, but it wasn't as good- Like, it wasn't good, it was just bad. So you rather- I don't know how the other word is. So you're like- It literally was as bad as our garbage can. It was that bad. Trash.   Last night, it was awesome, but I feel like we're getting proof on some things. I know, you're right.  But you know I'm just a brutally honest person. It wasn't the best. And it was trash. It was just- It wasn't good.  Okay, okay.  Yeah, like, I just- You're a lesser tra- Okay, I don't even wanna talk about this right now. Like, you're telling me- I was just- Wait, what? Why are you asking like this? It just turned me off. It was really bad. Like, and the more I think about it- Do you know how much I care about you? I would never say this stuff to you. Yeah, but I would want you to tell me if something that I was doing was bad. But here's the thing. This is the first time you've ever done this. You've ever brought this up. So if this is- It was just last night, though. Like, it wasn't you. So why are you saying I'm such a trash person? How are you saying I'm- Did I say you were a trash person? You said I- That was trash. So yeah, I'm trash. No, then last night, whatever you did was trash. Boy, you were kissing? I don't know. It's like you haven't kissed me in years. All right, you're being rude. That's so bogus because you did not- You did not look like that at all. You did not mention anything at all. Because I know what hurt your feelings, but then the more I thought about it, I was like, I have to be honest with you.  Yes, babe. Last night, I was being rude for you. I'm gonna make it seem like I liked it, but then like, I kept thinking about it. I'm like, okay, you know what? It's something I need to talk to you about because I don't want that to happen again the next time. I don't even know what it's about. Why? Because you're not even being nice about it. I'm being nice and trying to have a conversation.  It just turned me off and made me less attracted to you. Babe, are you serious? Like, you don't even realize what you're like- Oh my God. Are you delusional? Are you? You could have been nice about it.  What? I'm over it. I'm over it. Once you're in a better mood, get some food in your stomach or something. I did just eat.  You're being rude, bro. I'm not being me. Bro, you're literally saying trash. You didn't even try to be nice about it. Like I said, oh, there's some things that I feel like we can improve on. It was good, but you can't even hide me up like that.  And it didn't seem like that. So I don't understand why you're being like this. Because I'm just trying to be honest. You're being rude. I wish you could just say it in a better way. I would never say it like- All right, let me just say it, let me just say it. Okay, what? Okay. That's why I'm just starting- I enjoyed last night, but I didn't because it wasn't as good as it usually is. Thank you. So what are you going to do to improve?  Okay.  My kissing is better than your kissing. I'm the one that has to leave half the time. No, wait, that is so bold. That is so bold. No, you ever kissed a fish before? It was kind of like, you know, it just sits there and kind of goes along with it. So now you're trying to say I kissed like a fish? I've never kissed a fish, but I present- No, I'm just- Why are you being mean? Now you're being mean. Because you're being mean to me. Why is it you kissed like a fish? I said you kissed a fish. Okay, I didn't mean you actually kissed like a fish. I'm just saying like- You're saying I need to kiss better. What about you?  No, you don't. All right, no, I'm- See, this is what I mean.  I'm gonna call you like- Mom, let's see what it is. It was trash. Are you joking? You're joking. No, I'm not joking. It was trash. You were scarred, but scarred. Wasn't it trash? You're being bogus right now. Scarred. Wasn't it trash?  You're honestly like, why do you gotta- Why do you gotta say this? We were in such a good mood today, just hanging. I wanted to play maybe a game with you or watch our show and you're being rude. You're being rude. Like, do you not understand? I'm not trying to get mad. I feel like I'm not the crazy one here. Are you upset? Do you feel insecure? It's annoying. I don't feel insecure because I don't think it was trash. Well, you should. Okay, I'm done.  Like, you're being rude for no apparent reason. It was like the worst. Stop saying I'm done. I'm done. Whatever you're doing. Hey, dude, does it make sense? You guys- Baby. Baby. Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby. Can you look at me? Look at me! No. Look at me! It was a joke. Tell me it wasn't trash then. It was still trash.  They Team Araya. That's f***ing up. Team Araya. They Team Araya. They Team Araya. I'm not saying that. Guys, Team Araya. That is no. Because I killed that baby. Okay, I- Come here, can we do a hug? It was obviously a- You gotta give me more than a hug now. Of course it wasn't trash. Is this hug trash now? Give me a kiss. Do you really think I kissed like a fish though? No. You recorded that. Yeah. We're not putting that in. No, last night was fun. We're not putting that in. Last night was fun. I don't think she kissed like a fish. I didn't know you- Yeah, yeah. I was just trying to get back at you, bro. But that's- You play weights. That is bull s***. Because it is not true. I'm not even talking about it. You guys are- It's like talking about your family about like- Yes. I don't even need to talk. Going into that. Well, Team Araya came back. I had a- Whatever! No, for real. Like I needed to get back at you because you know what? You have been pranking me too much. I had to come back. Yeah, you had to. But this is dirty. That's a dirty way to do it. That's- I know. I said it's gonna hit deep in your heart too. Yo, from Araya's spot right now, tell them not to trap. No, I don't. I told them it's never trapped.  You got to hype before I go. Some nights are better than other nights, but last time was a good night. What do you mean some nights are better than other nights? The some nights aren't as crazy as others. Yeah. That's not a bad thing. It's still good. It's just not as crazy. Last night was crazy. You didn't get better with your words. Oh my God. This girl does not know how to talk. Hold on. This girl does not know how to hype a man up. I'm telling you right now. I- What's up with that? Why is that even needed? You're trying to say- Bro, you could have just been like, yeah, it's good. It is good, but some nights are more fun. Yeah, obviously. Everything's gonna be different. Yeah. That's so sensitive. I love you. I ain't sensitive. I'm just like, it's annoying. It's annoying when you're live. Stop being upset. Let's show them a decoration really quick. Can we just show them one little part You want to switch the deck? Oh, it's trash. Next video? Oh, here's our Christmas stuff. Next video, I want to do like a little tour just a little bit in the beginning. Oh, I forgot. They didn't even see anything. I want to show you one thing. Can I show them one thing? Y'all saw in our last video, we only put up this stuff in our last video, but we have our full blown Christmas decor. Oh, ignore the dishes. And we not only have one big tree, we have two trees. It was three. One in the front door. We have three trees this year. But this one tree- Okay, we should probably wait till next video. Get them excited. Can we give them a little peek of our main tree that they saw last year? Yee! And it's so much better. There's so much more to come. But we do have a tree that is not a normal color. And I'm excited because we got something to add to it. Oh my God, I'm in love with it. What do you think this certain tree is? If you follow us on social media. It has to go along with a movie. That's all I'm going to say. We'll show you guys the next video. But I hope you guys enjoyed today's video. I feel like I pulled it. I hid deep like I said. I knew I was going to slide it to the chest. But you know what, I love you and you know I love you. Whatever. All right. Well, we will see you guys in the next video. But until then. Get ready for team build to come back. No, please. We've got to come back, baby. Let's go.


CHAPTER 27.  Everything was sheltered and housed, their implements under cover, their stock in good condition, their storeroom filled, and their fruits and vegetables buried in hills and long rows in the garden. Adam had a first wheat premium at the county fair and a second on corn, concerning which he felt abused. He thought his corn scored the highest number of points, but that the award was given another man because of Adams having had first on wheat. In her heart Kate agreed with him, but she tried to satisfy him with the blue ribbon on wheat and keep him interested sufficiently to try for the first on corn the coming year. She began making suggestions for the possible improvement of his corn. Adam was not easily propitiated. Mother, he said, you know as well as you know you are alive that if I had failed on wheat or had second I would have been given first on my corn. My corn was the best in every way, but they thought I would swell up and burst if I had two blue ribbons. That was what ailed the judges. What encouragement is that to try again? I might grow even finer corn in the coming year than I did this, and be given no award at all because I had two this year. It would amount to exactly the same thing. We'll get some more books and see if we can study up any new wrinkles this winter," said Kate. Now cheer up and go tell Millie about it. Maybe she can console you if I can't. Nothing but justice will console me," said Adam. I'm not complaining about losing the prize. I'm fighting mad because my corn, my beautiful corn that grew and grew and held its head so high and waved its banners of triumph to me with every breeze, didn't get its fair show. What encouragement is there for it to try better the coming year? The crows might as well have had it or the cutworms, while all my work is for nothing. You're making a big mistake," said Kate. If your corn was the finest it was, and the judges knew it and you know it, and very likely the man who has the first prize knows it. You have a clean conscience and you know what you know. They surely can't feel right about it or enjoy what they know. You have had the experience. You have the corn for seed. With these things to back you, clear a small strip of new land beside the woods this winter, and try what that will do for you. Adam looked at her with wide eyes.  "'You just bet I'll try that next year. But don't you tell a soul. There are more than you who will let a strip be cleared in an effort to grow blue-ribbon corn. How did you come to think of it?' "'You're saying all your work had been for nothing,' made me think of it.' She answered. "'Let them give another man the prize when they know your corn is the best. It's their way of keeping a larger number of people interested and avoiding the appearance of partiality. This contest was too close. Next year you grow such corn that the corn will force the decision in spite of the judges. Do you see?' "'I see,' said Adam. "'I'll try again.' After that life went on as usual. The annual Christmas party was the loveliest of all because Kate gave it loving thought, and because all of their hearts were especially touched. As spring came on again Kate and Adam studied over their work, planning many changes for the better. But each time they talked when everything else was arranged, they came back to corn. More than once each of them dreamed corn that winter while asleep they frankly talked of it many times a day. Location, soil, fertilizers, seed, cultivation, they even studied the almanacs for a general forecast of the weather. These things brought them very close together. Also it was admitted between them that little Paul grappled them with hooks of steel. They never lacked subjects for conversation. Paul always came first, corn next, and during the winter there began to be discussion of plans for Adam and Millie. Should Millie come with them, or should they build a small house on the end of the farm nearest her mother? Adam did not care, so he married Millie speedily. Kate could not make up her mind. Millie had the inclination of a bird for a personal and private nest of her own. So spring came to them. August brought the anniversary of Nancy Ellen's death, which again saddened all of them. Then came cooler September weather and the usual rush of preparation for winter. Kate was everywhere and enjoying her work immensely. On sturdy tumbling legs little Paul trotted after her or rode in state on her shoulder when distances were too far. If Kate took her to the fields as she did every day she carried along the half of an old pink and white quilt which she spread in a shaded place and filled the baby's lap with acorns, wildflowers, small brightly colored stones, shells and whatever she could pick up for playthings. Paul amused herself with these until the heat and air made her sleepy, then she laid herself down and slept for an hour or two. Once she had trouble with stomach teeth that brought Dr. Gray racing and left Kate white and limp with fear. Everything else had gone finely and among helping Adam, working in her home, caring for the baby, doing whatever she could see that she thought would be of benefit to the community, and what was assigned her by church committees, Kate had a busy life. She had earned in a degree the leadership she exercised in her first days in Walden. Adam liked her, but no one ever ventured to ask her for an opinion unless they truly wanted it. Adam came from a run to Hartley for groceries one evening in late September with a look of concern Kate noticed on his face. He was very silent during supper and when they were on the porch as usual he still sat as if thinking deeply. Kate knew that he would tell her what he was thinking about when he was ready but she was not in the least prepared for what he said. Mother, how do you feel about Uncle Robert marrying again? he asked suddenly. Kate was too surprised to answer. She looked at him in amazement. Instead of answering she asked him a question. What makes you ask that? You know how that Mrs. Southey pursued him one summer. Well, she's back in Hartley staying at the hotel right across from his office. She's dressed to beat the band. She's pretty as a picture. Her car stands out in front all day and to get to ride in it and take meals with her all the women are running after her. I hear she has even had Robert's old mother out for a drive. What do you think of that? Think she's in love with him of course and trying to marry him and that she will very probably succeed. If she has located where she is right under his eye and lets him know that she wants him very much he'll no doubt marry her. And what do you think about it? asked Adam. I've had no time to think, said Kate.  Nancy Allen loved him so. I never shall forget that day she first told me about him and how loving him brought out her beauty and made her shine and glow as if from an inner light. I was always with her most and I loved her more than all the other girls put together. I know that Southie woman tried to take him from her one summer not long ago and that he gave her to understand that she could not so she went away. If she's back it means only one thing and I think probably she'll succeed but you can be sure it will make me squirm properly. I thought you wouldn't like it. He said emphatically. Now understand me Adam. Said Kate.  I didn't expect Robert to be more than human.  I've known that for years ever since it became apparent that none was coming to Nancy Allen. I hadn't given the matter of thought but if I had been thinking I would have thought that as soon as was proper he would select a strong healthy young woman and make her his wife.  I have an objection in the world to him marrying a proper woman at a proper time and place.  Did you ever see her mother? No I never said Kate and I hope I never shall. I know what Nancy Allen felt because she told me all about it that time we were up north. I'm trying with all my might to have a Christian spirit. I swallowed Mrs. Peters and never blinked that anybody saw but I don't. I truly don't know from where I could muster grace to treat a woman decently who tried to do to my sister what I know Mrs. Southy tried to do to Nancy Allen. She planned to break up my sister's home that I know. Now that Nancy Allen is gone I feel tonight as if I just couldn't endure to see Mrs. Southy marry Robert. Bet she does it said Adam. Did you see her asked Kate. See her cried Adam. I saw her half a dozen times in an hour. She's in the heart of the town. Nothing to do but dress and motor. Never saw such a peach of a car. I couldn't help looking at it. Gee I wish I could get you one like that. What did you think of her looks? asked Kate. Might pretty said Adam promptly. Small but not tiny. Plump but not fat. Pink. Light curls. Big baby blue eyes and a sort of hesitating way about her as if she were anxious to do the right thing but feared she might not and wished somebody would take care of her. Kate threw out her hands with a rough exclamation. I get the picture she said. It's a dead center shot. That gets a man every time. No man cares a picky you about a woman who can take care of herself and help him with his job if he has a ghost of a chance at a little pink and white clinger who will suck the life and talent out of him like the parasite she is while she makes him believe he is on the job taking care of her. You can rest assured it will be settled before Christmas. Kate had been right in her theories concerning the growing of blue ribbon corn. At the county fair in late September Adam exhibited such heavy ears of evenly grained white and yellow corn that the blue ribbon he carried home was not an award of the judges. It was a concession to the just demands of the exhibit. Then they began husking their annual crop. It had been one of the country's best years for corn. The long, even golden ears they were stripping the husks from and stacking in heaps over the field might profitably have been used for seed by any farmer. They had divided the field in halves and Adam was husking one side, Kate the other. She had a big shock open and kneeling beside it she was busy stripping open the husks and heaping up the yellow ears. Behind her the shocks stood like rows of stationed sentinels. Above the crisp October sunshine warmed the air to a delightful degree. Across the field the fence rows were filled with purple and rose-colored asters and everywhere goldenrod, yellower than the corn, was hanging in heavy heads of pollen spraying bloom. On her old pink quilt little Paul, sound asleep, was lifted from the shade of one shock to another while Kate worked across her share of the field. As she worked she kept looking at the child. She frankly adored her, but she kept her reason and held to rigid rules in feeding, bathing, and dressing. Paul minded even a jester or a nod. Above the flocking larks pierced the air with silver notes. On the fence rows the gathering robins called to each other, high in the air the old black vulture that homed in a hollow log in Kate's woods looked down on the spots of color made by the pink quilt, the gold corn, the blue of Kate's dress, and her yellow head. An artist would have paused long over the rich color, the grouping and perspective of that picture, while the hazy fall atmosphere softened and blended the whole. Kate herself never had appeared or felt better. She worked rapidly, often glancing across the field to see if she was even with or slightly in advance of Adam. She said it would never do to let the boy get heady, so she made a point of keeping even with him, and caring for little Paul for good measure. She was smiling as she watched him working like a machine as he ripped open husks, gave the ear a twist, tossed it aside, and reached for the next. Kate was doing the same thing, quite as automatically. She was beginning to find the afternoon sun almost hot on her bare head, so she turned until it fell on her back. Her face was flush to coral pink, and framed in a loose border of her beautiful hair. She was smiling at the thought of how Adam was working to get ahead of her. Smiling because little Paul looked such a picture of healthy loveliness. Smiling because she was so well. She felt super abundant health rising like a stimulating tide in her body. Smiling because the corn was the finest she had ever seen in a commonly cultivated field. Smiling because she and Adam were of one accord about everything. Smiling because the day was very beautiful, because her heart was at peace, her conscience clear. She heard a car stop at the gate, saw a man alight and start across the yard toward the field, and knew that her visitor had seen her and was coming to her. Kate went on husking corn, and when the man swung over the fence of the field she saw that he was Robert, and instantly thought of Mrs. Southey, so she ceased to smile. I've got a big notion to tell him what I think of him, she said to herself, even as she looked up to greet him. Instantly she saw that he had come for something. What is it? she asked. Agatha, he said. She's been having some severe heart attacks lately, and she just gave me a real scare. Instantly Kate forgot everything except Agatha, whom she cordially liked, and Robert, who appeared older, more tired, and worried than she had ever seen him. She thought Agatha had given him a real scare, and she decided that it scarcely would have been too bad to put lines in his face she never noticed before, dark circles under his eyes, a look of weariness in his bearing. She doubted as she looked at him if he were really courting Mrs. Southey, even as she thought of these things she was asking, She's better now? Yes, easier, but she suffered terribly. Adam was upset completely. Adam III and Susan and their families are away from home and won't be back for a few days unless I send for them. They went to Ohio to visit some friends. I stopped to ask if it would be possible for you to go down this evening and sleep there, so that if there did happen to be a recurrence Adam wouldn't be alone. Of course, said Kate, glancing at the baby, I'll go right away. No need for that, he said. If you'll arrange to stay with Adam tonight as a precaution. You needn't go till bedtime. I'm going back after supper to put them in shape for the night. I'm almost sure she'll be all right now, but you know how frightened we can get about those we love. Yes, I know," said Kate quietly, going straight on ripping open ear after ear of corn. Presently she wondered why he did not go. She looked up at him and met his eyes. He was studying her intently. Kate was vividly conscious in an instant of her bare, wind-teased head, her husking gloves. She was not at all sure that her face was clean. She smiled at him and picking up the sun-bonnet lying beside her.  If the sun hits too long on the same spot it grows warm," she told him. Kate, I do wish you wouldn't," he exclaimed abruptly. Kate was too forthright for sparring. Why not? she asked. For one thing you're doing a man's work, he said. For another I hate to see you burn the loveliest hair I ever saw on the head of a woman and coarsen your fine skin. Kate looked down at the ear of corn she held in her hands and considered an instant. There hasn't any man been around asking to relieve me of this work," she said. I got my start in life doing a man's work, and I'm frank to say that I'd far rather do it any day than what is usually considered a woman's. As for my looks I never set a price on them or let them interfere with business, Robert. No, I know you don't," he said. But it's a pity to spoil you. I don't know what's the matter with you," said Kate patiently. She bent her head toward him. "'Feel,' she said, and see if my hair isn't soft and fine. I always cover it in really burning sun. This autumn haze is good for it. My complexion is exactly as smooth and even now as it was the day I first met you on the footlog over twenty years ago. There's one good thing about the Bates women. They wear well. None of us yet have ever faded and frazzled out. Have you got many heartly women doing what you call women's work to compare with me physically, Robert?" "'I know the answer to that,' he said." "'So I do,' said Kate. I see some of them occasionally when business calls me that way. Now, Robert, I'm so well I feel like running a foot race the first thing when I wake up every morning. I'm making money.   I'm as happy as it's humanly possible for me to be without Mother and Polly and Nancy Ellen. Mother used always to say that when death struck a family it seldom stopped until it took three. That was my experience. And saving Adam and little Paul it took my three dearest. But the separation isn't going to be so very long. If I were you I wouldn't worry about me, Robert. There are many women in the world willing to pay for your consideration. Save it for them." "'Kate, I'm sorry I said anything,' he said hastily.  Kate looked at him in surprise. But I'm not offended,' she said, snapping an ear and reaching for another. I'm merely telling you. Don't give me a thought. I'm all right. If you'll save me an hour the next time little Paul has a tooth coming through you'll have completely earned my gratitude. Tell Agatha I'll come as soon as I finish my evening work.' That was clearly a dismissal. For Kate, glancing across the field toward Adam, saw that he'd advance to a new shock. So she began husking faster than before. CHAPTER XXVIII. THE 11TH HOUR Robert said goodbye and started back toward his car. Kate looked after him as he reached the fence.  He seemed far from happy, and he surely was very tired. Impulsive as always, she lifted her clear voice and called, Robert. He paused with his foot on a rail of the fence and turned toward her. "'Have you had any dinner?' she asked. He seemed to be considering. Come to think of it, I don't believe I have,' he said. "'I thought you looked neglected,' said Kate. "'Sunny across the field is starting a shock ahead of me. I can't come, but go to the kitchen. The door is unlocked. You'll find fried chicken and some preserves and pickles in the pantry. The bread box is right there, and the milk and butter are in the spring house.' He gave Kate one long look. "'Thank you,' he said, and leaped the fence. He stopped on the front walk and stood a minute. Then he turned and went around the house. She laughed aloud. She was sending him to chicken perfectly cooked, barely cold, melon preserves, pickled cucumbers, and bread like that which had for years taken a county fair prize each fall, butter yellow as the golden rod lining the fences, and cream stiff enough to stand alone. Also he would find neither germ nor mold in her pantry and spring house, while it would be a new experience for him to let him wait on himself. Kate husked away in high good humor, but she quit an hour early to be on time to go to Agatha. She explained this to Adam when she told him that he would have to milk alone while she bathed and dressed herself and got supper. When she began to dress, Kate examined her hair minutely and combed it with unusual care. If Robert was at Agatha's when she got there, she would let him see that her hair was not sunburned and ruined. To match the hairdressing, she reached back in her closet and took down her second best white dress. She was hoping that Agatha would be well enough to have a short visit. Kate worked so steadily that she seldom saw any of her brothers and sisters during the summer. In winter she spent a day with each of them if she could possibly manage. Anyway, Agatha would like to see her appearing well, so she put on the plain snowy linen and carefully pinning a big apron over it. She went to the kitchen. They always had a full dinner at noon and worked until dusk. Her bath had made her later than she intended to be. Dusk was deepening, evening chill was beginning to creep into the air. She closed the door, fed little Paul, and rolled her into bed, set the potatoes boiling and began mixing the biscuit. She had them just ready to roll when steam lifted the lid of the potato pot. With the soft dough in her hand she took a step to write it. While it was in her fingers she peered into the pot. She did not look up on the instant the door opened because she thought it would be Adam. When she glanced toward the door she saw Robert standing looking at her. He had stepped inside, closed the door, and with his hand on the knob was waiting for her to see him. Oh, hello! said Kate. I thought it was Adam. Have you been to Agatha's yet? Yes. She is very much better, he said. I only stopped to tell you that her mother happened to come out for the night and they'll not need you. I'm surely glad she is better, said Kate, but I'm rather disappointed. I've been swimming and I'm all ready to go. She set the pot lid in place accurately and gave her left hand a deft turn to save the dough from dripping. She glanced from it to Robert, expecting to see him open the door and disappear. Instead he stood looking at her intently. Suddenly he said, Kate, will you marry me? Kate mechanically saved the dough again, as she looked at the pot an instant. Then she said casually, Sure, it would be splendid to have a doctor right in the house when little Paul cuts her double teeth. Thank you, said Robert, tersely. No doubt that would be a privilege, but I declined to marry you in order to see little Paul safely through teething. Good night! He stepped outside and closed the door very completely and somewhat pronouncedly. Kate stood straight an instant, then realized biscuit dough was slowly creeping down her wrist.  Then she began to cry silently. A minute later the door opened again. That time it had to be Adam, but Kate did not care what he saw or what he thought. She cried on in perfect abandon. Then steps crossed the room, someone knelt beside her, put an arm around her and said, Kate, why are you crying? Kate lifted her head suddenly and applied her apron skirt. None of your business, she said to Robert's face, six inches from hers. Are you so anxious as all this about little Paul's teeth? he asked. Oh, drat little Paul's teeth! cried Kate, the tears rolling uninterruptedly. Then why did you say that to me? he demanded. Well, you said you only stopped to tell me that I needn't go to Agatha's, she explained. I had to say something to get even with you. Oh! said Robert, and took possession. Kate put her arms around his neck, drew his head against hers, and knew a minute of complete joy. When Adam entered the house his mother was very busy. She was mixing more biscuit dough, she was laughing like a girl of sixteen. She snatched out one of their finest tablecloths and put on many extra dishes for supper, while Uncle Robert, looking like a different man, was helping her. He was actually stirring the gravy and getting the water and setting up chairs, and he was under high tension too. He was saying things of no moment as if they were profound wisdom, and laughing hilariously at things that were scarcely worth a smile. Adam looked on and marveled, and all the while his irritation grew. At last he saw a glance of understanding pass between them. He could endure it no longer. Oh! you might as well say what you think, he burst forth. You forgot to pull down the blinds. Both the brazen creatures laughed as if that were a fine joke. They immediately threw off all reserve. By the time the meal was finished Adam was struggling to keep from saying the meanest things he could think of. Also he had to go to Millie, with nothing very definite to tell. But when he came back his mother was waiting for him. She said at once, Adam, I'm very sorry the blind was up to-night. I wanted to talk to you and tell you myself that the first real love for a man that I have ever known is in my heart to-night. Why mother! said Adam. It's true, said Kate quietly. You see, Adam, the first time I ever saw Robert Gray I knew and he knew that he had made a mistake in engaging himself to Nancy Ellen. But the thing was done, she was happy. We simply realized that we would have done better together and let it go at that. But all these years I have known that I could have made him a wife who would have come closer to his ideals than my sister and she should have had the man who wanted to marry me. They would have had a wonderful time together. And where did my father come in? asked Adam quietly. He took advantage of my blackest hour, said Kate. I married him when I positively didn't care what happened to me. The man I could have loved was married to my sister. The man I could have married and lived with in comfort to both of us was out of the question. It was in the bait's blood to marry about the time I did. I had seen only the very best of your father and he was an attractive lover, not bad-looking, not embarrassed with one single scruple. It's the way of the world. I took it. I paid for it. Only God knows how dearly I paid. But Adam, if you love me, stand by me now. Let me have this eleventh-hour happiness with no alloy.  Kiss me and tell me you're glad, Adam. Adam rose up and put his arms around his mother. All his resentment was gone. He was as happy as he could be for his mother and happier than he ever before had been for himself. The following afternoon Kate took the car and went to see Agatha instead of husking corn. She dressed with care and arrived about three o'clock, leading Paul in whitest white, with cheeks still rosy from her afternoon nap. Agatha was sitting up and delighted to see them. She said they were the first of the family who had come to visit her, and she thought they had come because she was thinking of them. Then she told Kate about her illness. She said it dated from Father Bates's stroke and the dreadful days immediately following when Adam had completely lost self-control and she had not been able to influence him. I think it broke my heart, she said simply. Then they talked the family over, and at last Agatha said, Kate, what is this I hear about Robert? Have you been informed that Mrs. Southie is back in Hartley, and that she is working every possible chance and using multifarious blandishments on him? Kate laughed heartily and suddenly. She never had heard blandishments used in common conversation. As she struggled to regain self-possession, Agatha spoke again. It's no laughing matter, she said. The report has every ear mark of verisimilitude. The Bates family has a way of feeling deeply. We all loved Nancy Ellen. We all suffered severely and lost something that could never be replaced when she went. Of course all of us realized that Robert would enter the bonds of matrimony again. None of us would have objected, even if he remarried soon. But all of us do object to his marrying a woman who would have broken Nancy Ellen's heart if she could. And yesterday I took advantage of my illness and told him so. Then I asked him why a man of his standing and ability in this community didn't frustrate that unprincipled creature's vermiculations toward him by marrying you at once. Slowly Kate sat down in her chair. Her face whitened and then grew greenish. She breathed with difficulty. Oh, Agatha was all she could say. I do not regret it, said Agatha. If he is going to ruin himself, he is not going to do it without knowing that the Bates family highly disapprove of his course. But why drag me in, said Kate, almost too shocked to speak at all. Maybe he loves Mrs. Southie. She has let him see how she feels about him. Possibly he feels the same about her. He does if he weds her, said Agatha conclusively. Anything anyone could say or do would have no effect if he had centered his affections upon her. Of that you may be very sure. May I? asked Kate, dully. Indeed you may, said Agatha. The male of the species, when he is a man of Robert's attainments and calibre, can be swerved from pursuit of the female he covets by nothing save extinction.  Indubitably, cried Agatha. Kate laughed until she felt a little better, but she went home in a mood far different from that in which she started. Then she had been very happy, and she had intended to tell Agatha about her happiness the very first of all. Now she was far from happy. Possibly a thousand things, the most possible, that Robert had responded to Agatha's suggestion, and stopped and asked her that abrupt question, from an impulse as sudden and inexplicable as had possessed her when she married George Holt. Kate fervently wished she had gone to the cornfield as usual that afternoon. That's the way it goes, she said angrily, as she threw off her better dress and put on her everyday gingham to prepare supper. That's the way it goes.   I might as well give up the idea that I'm ever to be happy like anybody else. Every time I think happiness is coming my way along comes something that knocks it higher than Gilderoy's kite, hang the luck. She saw Robert pass while she was washing the dishes and knew he was going to Agatha's and would stop when he came back. She finished her work, put little Paul to bed, and made herself as attractive as she knew how in her prettiest blue dress. All the time she debated whether she would say anything to him about what Agatha had said or not. She decided she would wait a while and watch how he acted. She thought she could soon tell. So when Robert came, she was as nearly herself as possible, but when he began to talk about being married soon, the most she would say was that she would begin to think about it at Christmas and tell him by spring. Robert was bitterly disappointed. He was very lonely. He needed better housekeeping than his aged mother was capable of to keep him up to a high mark in his work. Either of them was young any longer. He could see no reason why they should not be married at once. Of the reason in Kate's mind he had not a glimmering. But Kate had her way. She would not even talk of a time or express an opinion as to whether she would remain on the farm or live in Nancy Ellen's house or sell it and build whatever she wanted for herself. Robert went away baffled and disappointed over some intangible thing he could not understand. For six weeks Kate tortured herself and kept Robert from being happy. Then one morning Agatha stopped to visit with her while Adam drove on to town. After they had exhausted farming, little Paul's charms, and the neighbors, Agatha looked at Kate and said, Catherine, what is this I hear about Robert coming here every day now? It appeals to me that he must have followed my advice. Of course he never would have thought of coming if you hadn't told him so, said Kate, dryly. Now there you are in error, said the literal Agatha, as she smoothed down little Paul's skirts and twisted her ringlets into formal corkscrews. Right there you are in error, my dear. The reason I told Robert to marry you was because he said to me, when he suggested going after you to stay the night with me, that he had seen you in the field when he passed, and that you were the most glorious specimen of womanhood that he ever had seen. He said you were the one to stay with me, in case there should be any trouble, because your head was always level and your heart was big as a barrel. Yes, that's the reason I can't always have it with me, said Kate, looking glorified instead of glorious. Agatha, it just happens to mean very much to me. Will you just kindly begin at the beginning and tell me every single word Robert said to you and you said to him that day? Why I have informed you explicitly, said Agatha, using her handkerchief on the toe of Paul's blue shoe. He mentioned going after you and said what I told you and I told him to go. He praised you so highly that when I spoke to him about the Southie woman I remembered it, so I suggested to him, as he seemed to think so well of you. It just that minute flashed into my mind, but he made me think of it, calling you glorious and level-headed and big-hearted. Heavens! Catherine Eleanor, what more could you ask? I guess that should be enough, said Kate. One certainly would presume so, said Agatha. Then Adam came and handed Kate her mail as she stood beside his car talking to him a minute, while Agatha settled herself. As Kate closed the gate behind her she saw a big square white envelope among the newspapers, advertisements, and letters. She slipped it out and looked at it intently. Then she ran her finger under the flap and read the contents. She stood studying the few lines it contained, frowning deeply. Doesn't it beat the band, she asked of the surrounding atmosphere. She went up the walk, entered the living-room, slipped the letter under the lid of the big family Bible, and walking to the telephone she called Dr. Gray's office. He answered the call in person. Robert, this is Kate, she said. Would you have any deeply rooted objections to marrying me at six o'clock this evening? Well, I should say not, boomed Robert's voice. The not coming so forcibly Kate dodged. Have you got the information necessary for a license? she asked. Yes, he answered. Then bring one, and your minister, and come at six, she said. And oh yes, Robert, will it be all right with you if I stay here and keep house for Adam until he and Millie can be married and move in? Then I'll come to your house just as it is. I don't mind coming to Nancy Ellen's home as I would in other women's. Surely, he cried, any arrangement you make will satisfy me. All right, I'll expect you with the document and the minister at six then, said Kate, and hung up the receiver. Then she took it down again, and calling Millie, asked her to bring her best white dress and come up right away, and help her get ready to entertain a few people that evening. Then she called her sister Hannah, and asked her if she thought that in the event she, Kate, wished that evening at six o'clock to marry a very fine man, and had no preparations whatever made, her family would help her out to the extent of providing the supper. She wanted all of them, and all the children, but the arrangement had come up suddenly, and she could not possibly prepare a supper herself for such a big family in the length of time she had. Hannah said she was perfectly sure every one of them would drop everything, and be tickled to pieces to bring the supper, and to come, and they would have a grand time. What did Kate want? Oh, she wanted bread, and chicken for meat, maybe some potato chips and angels' food-cake, and a big freezer or two of Agatha's best ice-cream, and she thought possibly more butter and coffee than she had on hand. She had plenty of sugar and cream and pickles and jelly. She would have the tables all set as she did for Christmas. Then Kate rang for Adam, and put a broom in his hand as he entered the back door. She met Millie with a pail of hot water and cloths to wash the glass. She went to her room, and got out her best afternoon dress of dull blue with gold lace and a pink velvet rose. She shook it out, and studied it. She had worn it twice on the trip north. None of them save Adam ever had seen it. She put it on, and looked at it critically. Then she called Millie, and they changed the neck and sleeves a little, took a yard of width from the skirt, and, behold, it became a creation in the very height of style. Then Kate opened her trunk, and got out the petticoat, hose, and low shoes to match it, and laid them on her bed. Then they set the table, laid a fire ready to strike in the cookstove, saw that the gas was all right, set out the big coffee-boiler, and skimmed a crock full of cream. By four o'clock they could think of nothing else to do. Then Kate bathed, and went to her room to dress. Adam and Millie were busy making themselves fine. Little Paul sat in her prettiest dress, watching her beloved Tate, until Adam came and took her. He had been instructed to send Robert and the minister to his mother's room as soon as they came. Kate was trying to look her best, yet making haste so that she would be ready on time. She had made no arrangements, except to spread a white goat-skin where she and Robert would stand at the end of the big living-room near her door. Before she was fully dressed, she began to hear young voices and knew that her people were coming. When she was ready Kate looked at herself and muttered, I'll give Robert and all of them a good surprise. This is a real dress, thanks to Nancy Allen, the poor girl. It's scarcely fair to her to marry her man in a dress she gave me, but I'd stake my life she'd rather I'd have him than any other woman. It was an evening of At six Adam lighted a big log, festooned with leaves and berries so that the flames roared and crackled up the chimney. The early arrivals were the young people who had hung the mantle, gas fixtures, curtain poles, and draped the doors with long sprays of bittersweet northern holly and great branches of red spice berries, dogwood with its red leaves and berries, and scarlet and yellow oak leaves. The elders followed and piled the table with heaps of food, then trailed red vines between dishes. In a quandary as to what to wear, without knowing what was expected of him further than saying I will at the proper moment, Robert ended by slipping into Kate's room, dressed in white flannel. The ceremony was over at ten minutes after six. Kate was lovely, Robert was handsome, everyone was happy, the supper was a banquet. The Bates family went home. Adam disappeared with Millie, while little Paul went to sleep. Left to themselves, Robert took Kate in his arms and tried to tell her how much he loved her, but felt he expressed himself poorly. As she stood before him, he said, And now, dear, tell me what changed you, and why we are married to-night instead of at Christmas or in the spring. Oh yes, said Kate, I almost forgot why I wanted you to answer a letter for me. Lucid, said Robert, he seated himself beside the table. Bring on the ink and stationery and let me get it over. Kate obeyed, and with the writing material laid down the letter she had that morning received from John Jardine, telling her that his wife had died suddenly, and that as soon as he had laid her away he was coming to exact a definite promise from her as to the future, and that he would move heaven and earth before he would again be disappointed. Robert read the letter and laid it down, his face slowly flushing scarlet. You called me out here and married me expressly to answer this, he demanded. Of course, said Kate. I thought if you could tell him that his letter came the day I married you it would stop his coming and not be such a disappointment to him. Robert pushed the letter from him violently and arose. Bye! he checked himself and stared at her. Kate, you don't mean that, he cried. Tell me you don't mean that. Why sure I do, said Kate, it gave me a fine excuse. I was so homesick for you and tired waiting to begin life with you. Agatha told me about her telling you the day she was ill to marry me, and the reason I wouldn't was because I thought maybe you asked me so off hand like because she told you to and you didn't really love me. Then this morning she was here and we were talking, and she got rounded again, and then she told me all you said, and I saw you did love me, and that you would have asked me if she hadn't said anything, and I wanted you so badly. Robert, ever since that day we met on the footlog I've known that you were the only man I'd ever really want to marry. Robert, I'd never come anywhere near loving anybody else. The minute Agatha told me this morning I began to think how I could take back what I'd been saying, how I could change, and right then Adam handed me that letter, and it gave me a fine way out, and so I called you. Sure I married you to answer that, Robert. Now go and do it. All right, he said, in a minute. Then he walked to her and took her in his arms again. But Kate could not understand why he was laughing until he shook when he kissed her. End of Chapter Twenty-Eight End of A Daughter of the Land by Jean Stratton Porter