and fifty million dollars at least. Let's see about the population. At five hundred and twenty to the block, Ysleta should have a population of one million, two hundred and forty thousand. Quite a neat little town for a new country!"
Elijah's surprise grew. Helen was not even consulting notes.
"The total population of California isn't a million today. Most of these are miners, the next greater part live in towns. Hardly half are engaged in agriculture. How would Ysleta be fed, where would it get money to pay?"
Elijah's face showed still greater surprise.
"What put these figures into your head?"
Helen laughed sarcastically.
"I was advised to invest in building lots, so I looked the matter up. I am giving you these figures so you can see that I know how to appreciate what your work means." Her face sobered. She screwed paper and carbons into her machine and opened her note-book. She did not raise her eyes from her work.
"Don't wait, Mr. Berl. I'll have the work done in three hours."
Elijah left the office half dazed. Every word of Helen Lonsdale smote hard and deep. Not alone because of their surprising nature, but because his own work had never before appeared so worth while. Heretofore it had only appeared great in itself. Now it stood out gigantic by contrast. He was pleasantly conscious of another element that was entering his life for the first time; the sympathetic interest of an intelligent woman.
Punctually at the appointed time, Elijah returned. Helen was still busily at work.
"Am I too soon?" he asked.
She handed him a neatly enclosed package.
"That's all right, I think. Do you want to open an account, or will this be all?"
Elijah spoke very deliberately.
"I will open an account. I shall have more work."
"Very well. I send out monthly statements to my regular customers." Her eyes were again following her note-book, her fingers working at the rattling keys.
CHAPTER FOUR
It was well that the work which Helen was doing when Elijah left the office was mechanical, else it might have lacked the finish which made her in demand above all others. She could not keep her thoughts from this man and his work. With a frown, she glanced at her watch. Returning it to her belt, she drew her finished work from her machine and began to put the office in order. She stood absently before a mirror as she pinned her hat in place, turning with perfunctory pats here and there, touching a stray lock into order and smoothing down her gown. She passed out into the street, locking the door behind her, and turned to Winston's office. Her light footsteps as she entered, did not arouse his attention. For a moment she stood, looking at him as he bent over his work.
"You are cordial, I must confess."
Ralph looked up.
"Ah! What's the matter?" he concluded, noting her sober face.
"What is the matter?"
"Why, you're as solemn as an owl."
"Do you object to my sitting down for a moment?"
"Not for two moments. I'm glad to see you." Winston rose hastily and swung a chair into position.
"That's better," she approved.
"Good! Now if you'll get better, I shall know where I'm at."
"I've come here to find out where I'm at."
"If you are lost, it's the first time, I'm thinking, and I'm not so sure that I can set you straight."
"I'll take my chances. Who is Elijah Berl?"
Winston laughed.
"Oh, he's gotten hold of you, has he?"
"No, he hasn't; but I want to get hold of him to the extent of five thousand dollars. That is the limit of my cash money."
Winston smiled tolerantly.
"Elijah has certainly missed his calling. If he can work you up five thousand dollars' worth in an hour or so, I'll play him the limit against Wall street."
"No you won't. You don't know Elijah Berl."
"Then what are you asking me about him for?"
"Oh! that was just a starter. I had to begin somewhere."
"Isn't five thousand dollars a pretty heavy starter for you, Helen?" Winston asked the question soberly, for he saw that Helen was in earnest.
"No. I've kept out of Ysleta because it wasn't worth while. I want to get into Las Cruces because it is."
"It may be, Helen. It is full of promise, but it may not mature. I know the proposition pretty thoroughly and I know Elijah Berl. The elements of this may not be so solid as they appear."
"The watershed is all right, isn't it?"
"Without a question."
"The water can be brought from the reservoir to the lands?"
"No question about that, either."
"And the land is fertile and suited to oranges?"
"That's true too, but it needs money."
"You'll get that all right."
"I expect to, without doubt."
Helen had spoken with growing animation.
"Then the whole doubt in your mind centres in Elijah Berl?"
"You've hit it exactly."
"And yet you are a friend of Elijah's?" There was a touch of contempt in her voice.
"Yes."
"Then I must say that I don't value your friendship quite so highly as I did." Helen made no attempt to conceal her disapproval.
Winston spoke deliberately, weighing every word.
"I'm sorry to hear you say that, Helen. Your friendship means a great deal to me. Just remember that in a way you have come to me for advice. If not advice exactly, you really ask for the approval of what I cannot approve without reserve. I have counted you as my friend. If I have seemed to be a traitor to Elijah, it is only that I might be true to you. I would not say to any one else what I have said to you."
Helen's resentment died away before Winston's words.
"You haven't answered my first question yet. You seem able, if you only will."
"In a way, yes. Elijah Berl and I are partners."
"Partners!" Helen did not try to conceal her surprise.
"Yes. The agreement was signed today. Elijah was more than generous in his terms."
"And yet you could say what you did of him!"
"Yes. I gave him fair warning. I didn't
