"I am glad he didn't come," said Sally. "He's too high-strung for me."
"I don't like him myself; but sometimes we have to do business with those we don't like."
"That's so. How's the widder left?"
"She's got the ranch, but I hold a mortgage of three thousand dollars on it," replied her brother, his features expanding into a wintry smile. A man who can laugh heartily possesses redeeming traits, even if in some respects he is bad; but Aaron Wolverton had never been known to indulge in a hearty laugh.
"Can she pay?"
"Not at present."
"Is the mortgage for a term of years?"
"No; it can be called in at the end of any year."
"I never liked that woman," said Miss Sally Wolverton, grimly.
Sally Wolverton did not like any woman who was younger and prettier than herself, and there were few who were not prettier. She had never known of her brother's infatuation for the lady she was criticising, otherwise she would have been tempted to express herself even more strongly. She was strongly opposed to his marriage, as this would have removed her from her place in his household, or, even if she remained, would have deprived her of her power. Aaron did not care at present to take her into his confidence. Still he could not forbear coming, in a faint way, to the defense of the woman he admired.