from the beginning, and he knew that he could work.

"No," he said; "I guess you're not that kind of man. But won't you get
down and go along to the house? Flora will be glad to talk with you,
and I'll be in for supper soon."

George thanked him, and did as he suggested. He was beginning to find
pleasure in the conversation of Flora Grant.

It was two hours later when he took his leave and the farmer went out
with him.

"I don't know what Hardie's doing, but I've an idea that Mrs. Nelson
means to make some move at the Farmers' Club fair," he said. "She's a
mighty determined and enterprising woman. If you can spare the time,
you'd better ride in and see what's going on."

On reaching home, George was not surprised to find that the man who had
come for the horses had departed without waiting for his answer. The
next day he received an intimation that the annual exhibition of the
Sage Butte Farmers' Club would shortly be held; and one morning a
fortnight later he and Edgar rode off to the settlement.

They found the little town rudely decorated with flags and arches of
poplar boughs, and a good-humored crowd assembled. The one-sided
street that faced the track was lined with buggies, wagons, and a few
automobiles; horses and two or three yoke of oxen were tethered outside
the overfull livery stables.

A strong breeze drove blinding dust-clouds through the place, but even