But Ethel had it now，and even after three years her sweeteyes dimmed as she read the tender words that Joe had written because he lacked the courage to speak them."My one great ambition is to win a home for us，dear，"he had declared，and with this before her eyes Ethel reproached herself for ever doubting his love or loyalty.
When she rode her pony over to the Wegg farm next day Ethel's bright face was wreathed with smiles.She told her girl friends that she and Joe had had a "good talk"together，and understood each other better than ever before.The nieces did not tell her of their newly conceived hopes that the young couple would presently possess enough money to render their future comfortable，because there were so many chances that Bob West might win the little game being played.But at this moment Ethel did not need worldly wealth to make her heart light and happy，for she had regained her childhood's friend，and his injuries only rendered the boy the more interesting and companionable.
Meantime Uncle John had been busily thinking.It annoyed him to be so composedly de？ed by a rascally country merchant，and he resolved，if he must ？ght，to ？ght with all his might.
So he wired to his agent in New York the following words：
"What part of the Almaquo timber tract burned in forest ？re three years ago？"The answer he received made him give a satis？ed grunt.
"Nofores tfiresnear Almaquo three year sago.Almadona，seventy miles north，burned at that time，and newspaper reports confounded the names.""Very good！"exclaimed Uncle John."I've got the rascalnow."He issued instructions to the lumber company to make no further payments of royalties to Robert West until otherwise advised，and this had the effect of bringing West to the farm white with rage.
"What do you mean by this action，Mr.Merrick？"hedemanded.
"We've been paying you money that does not belong to you for three years，sir，"was the reply."In a few days，when my investigations are complete，I will give you the option of being arrested for embezzlementa of funds belonging to Joseph Wegg and the Thompsons，or restoring to them every penny of their money."West stared.
"You are carrying matters with a high handb，sir，"he sneered.
"Oh，no；I am acting very lenientlyc，"said Uncle John.
"Neither Joe nor the Thompsons own a dollar's interest in the Almaquo property.It is all mine，and mine alone.""Then produce the stock and prove it！"retorted Mr.Merrick，triumphantly.
At that moment Louise interrupted the interview by entering the room suddenly.
"Oh，Uncle，"said she，"will you join us in a picnic to theFalls tomorrow afternoon？We are all going."her.
"Then I won't be left behind，"he replied，smiling upon"We shall take even Thomas and Nora，and come homelate in the evening，by moonlight.""That suits me，my dear，"said he.
West stood silent and scowlinga，but as the girl tripped away she saw him raise his eyes and glance slyly toward the cupboard，for they were in the right wing room.
"Mr.Merrick，"he resumed，in a harsh voice；"I warnyou that if your company holds up the payment of my royalties it will break the contract，and I will forbid them to cut another tree.You are doubtless aware that there are a dozen firms willing to take your place and pay me higher royalties.""Act as you please，sir，"said Uncle John，indifferently.
