Page:Caroline Lockhart--The Fighting Shepherdess.djvu/130

Rh "Neifkins might be induced to take the leases off your hands at a nominal figure."

Mr. Pantin cooling his heels at the outer portals smiled. He knew what Kate did not—that Neifkins was one the directors.

"But the notes are not due until early next summer after shearing. Uncle Joe told me so."

"True," he assented. Then with a large air of erudition: "The law, however, provides for such cases as this. When the security of the mortgager is in jeopardy through incompetence or other causes he can foreclose immediately."

Kate paled as she listened.

"But there's no danger, Mr. Wentz," she protested breathlessly. "Your money's as safe as when Uncle Joe was living. I understand sheep—he said I was a better sheepman than he was because I had more patience and like them. I'll watch them closer than ever—day or night I'll never leave them. I'll promise you! I've got a good herder now and between us we can handle them."

Mr. Wentz shrugged a skeptical shoulder.

"You couldn't convince the directors of that. There's none of 'em wants to risk the bank's money with a woman in that kind of business."

"But can't you see," she pleaded, "that it's ruin to ship now? It will wipe me out completely. Put some one out there of your own choosing, if you can't trust me, but don't make me sell with the bottom out of the market!"

"You've got the bank's decision," he responded, coldly.

"Please—please reconsider I Just give me a chance—you won't be sorry! I only know sheep—I've never had the opportunity to learn anything else, and I've no