Part 6 (1/2)

During the meal Betty had been observing Jasper quite closely, and once the semblance of a twinkle might have been detected in her eyes. She made no remark, however, as to what she was thinking, but while the men smoked when supper was over, she busied herself was.h.i.+ng up the few dishes.

Under the soothing influence of the tobacco David became talkative. He was pleased to have so attentive a listener as Jasper, and unfolded to him his wonderful secret.

”Mr. David is going to be a very rich man some day,” Betty remarked, as she paused in wiping the dishes.

”I am pleased to hear that,” Jasper replied. ”Money is the only thing that counts these days.”

”Yes,” the girl continued, ”he is going to be very rich, and I am going to look after him. We shall have such a nice little house and be so very, very happy.”

While Betty was talking, the old man fumbled in an inside pocket and brought forth several papers.

”See,” and he held one of them up so the light of the lamp would fall upon it, ”it is all here. You can understand my plan much better from this. Here is Break Neck Falls, and just below it the plant will be placed. From there power will radiate throughout the entire country.

The whole thing is so simple that it is a wonder to me that it has not been thought of before.”

”Isn't it great!” Betty exclaimed, looking over the old man's shoulder.

”And to think that Mr. David worked it all out himself.”

As Jasper sat and watched the two animated faces before him, he had not the heart to say a word that would in any way dampen their enthusiasm.

Nevertheless, it seemed to him so ridiculous that old David's scheme could ever meet with any success. How was he to interest people who had the means to carry his plan into effect? But if the thought of doing great things would give him any happiness, he would be the last one to remove such a hope.

The storm raged outside and the wind beat against the window as the three sat and talked. The room was warm and cosy, and Jasper was pleased to have these two visitors on such a lonely night. Simon Squabbles and his meanness he forgot for awhile as he listened to Betty as she told him of her home life. It was just what he needed to take him out of himself, and to make him think of others. But when the girl spoke of Lois and how she had been with them that afternoon on the river, he became doubly interested.

”Oh, you must see her,” Betty exclaimed. ”She is the most wonderful person I ever saw. Isn't it strange that you have never met her!”

”Why, what chance have I had?” Jasper asked. ”Anyway, she wouldn't want anything to do with such a rough fellow as I am.”

”Indeed she would. She's not that kind; there's nothing stuckup about her. Maybe you'll see her pa.s.sing some day. She might call, too, for she is so friendly.”

”Call! What do you mean? How could she call upon me if I am miles away from this place?”

”Oh, but you won't be. You'll be right here where you have been for some time.”

Into Jasper's eyes came a look of surprise, and he felt his face flush under the girl's keen scrutiny.

”There, I knew I was right,” she laughed in glee.

”You thought you could deceive me, did you?”

”Why, how in the world did you know that I live here?” Jasper asked.

”Did anybody tell you?”

”No, certainly not. But the Lord didn't give Betty Bean eyes and a mind for nothing. Who else would be poking around this place on a night like this but the owner? And didn't you know where your dry coat was when you came in? and your slippers? and your pipe and tobacco?

and----”

”There, there, you have produced evidence enough, and I plead guilty,”

Jasper laughed. He was greatly amused at the girl's quickness. ”You are not offended, are you, at the little joke I played upon you?”