Page:Frank Owen - Rare Earth, 1931.djvu/261

 see if the cow were still there. She doubted her own eyes. What had happened to change her life so completely?

Now financially she had nothing to worry about. Jethro Trent had sent her a load of groceries, canned goods, flour, molasses and even a few Virginia hams. When she tried to protest, he stopped her.

"Leave everything to me," he said. "I'm used to this sort of thing. I'm keeping account of everything. At the end of the year when we make a settlement I'll deduct for all items and you'll see there will still be quite a bit of money due you. You must get rid of the idea that you are being helped. You're not. It's a business proposition and I'm mighty lucky to have been able to enter into this agreement. We will both be benefited."

So Linda at last had given in. Then Enoch had been right. The farm could be made, when properly handled, to yield a good return.

One morning when Jethro arrived at the farm he was accompanied by two painters