"Y'u know whut my price al'ays is," he said.

I'm obleeged," answered the girl, flushing.

"Co'n hev riz on our side. I thought mebbe you charged folks over
thar more, anyways."

"I sells fer the same, ef co'n is high ur low," was the answer. "This
side or t'other makes no diff'unce to me. I hev frien's on both
sides, 'n' I take no part in sech doin's as air a shame to the
mountains."

There was a quick light of protest in the girl's dark eyes; but the
old miller was honored by both factions, and without a word she
turned to the boy, who was tying the sack.

The boat's loose! " he called out, with. the string between his teeth;
and she turned again and ran out. Rome stood still.

Kerry the sack out, boy, 'n' holp the gal." Old Gabe's voice was
stern, and the young mountaineer doggedly swung the bag to his
shoulders. The girl had caught the rope, and drawn the rude
dugout along the shore.

"Who axed ye to do that?" she asked, angrily.

Rome dropped the bag into the boat, and merely looked her in the
face.

"Look hyeh, Rome Stetson"-the sound of his name from her lips