Judge Martin was the lawyer of Logport, who had proven her father's
will, and had since raved about his single interview with the
Kingfisher's beautiful daughter; the Expressman was a young fellow
who was popularly supposed to have left his heart while delivering
another valuable package on Maggie in person, and had "never been
the same man since." It was a well-worn fraternal pleasantry that
had done duty many a winter's evening, as a happy combination of
moral admonition and cheerfulness. Maggie usually paid it the
tribute of a quick little laugh and a sisterly pinch, but that
evening those marks of approbation were withheld.

"Jim dear," said she, when their Spartan repast was concluded and
they were reestablished before the living-room fire. "What was it
the Redwood Mill Kempany offered you for that piece near Dead Man's
Slough?"

Jim took his pipe from his lips long enough to say, "Ten thousand
dollars," and put it back again.

"And what do ye kalkilate all our property, letting alone this yer
house, and the driftwood front, is worth all together?"

"Includin' wot the Gov'nment owes us?--for that's all ours, ye
know?" said Jim quickly.

"No--leavin' that out--jest for greens, you know," suggested
Maggie.

"Well nigh onter a hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars, I