Some years before—­to be exact, the year Austen Vane left the law school —­Mr. Pardriff had proposed to exchange the Ripton Record with the editor of the Pepper County Plainsman in afar Western State.  The exchange was effected, and Mr. Pardriff glanced over the Plainsman regularly once a week, though I doubt whether the Western editor ever read the Record after the first copy.  One day in June Mr. Pardriff was seated in his sanctum above Merrill’s drug store when his keen green eyes fell upon the following:—­“The Plainsman considers it safe to say that the sympathy of the people of Pepper County at large is with Mr. Austen Vane, whose personal difficulty with Jim Blodgett resulted so disastrously for Mr. Blodgett.  The latter gentleman has long made himself obnoxious to local ranch owners by his persistent disregard of property lines and property, and it will be recalled that he is at present in hot water with the energetic Secretary of the Interior for fencing government lands.  Vane, who was recently made manager of Ready Money Ranch, is one of the most popular young men in the county.  He was unwillingly assisted over the State line by his friends.  Although he has never been a citizen of the State, the Plainsman trusts that he may soon be back and become one of us.  At last report Mr. Blodgett was resting easily.”

This article obtained circulation in Ripton, although it was not copied into the Record out of deference to the feelings of the Honourable Hilary Vane.  In addition to the personal regard Mr. Pardriff professed to have for the Honourable Hilary, it maybe well to remember that Austen’s father was, among other, things, chairman of the State Committee.  Mr. Tredway (largest railroad stockholder in Ripton) pursed his lips that were already pursed.  Tom Gaylord roared with laughter.  Two or three days later the Honourable Hilary, still in blissful ignorance, received a letter that agitated him sorely.

“Dear father:  I hope you don’t object to receiving a little visit from a prodigal, wayward son.  To tell the truth, I have found it convenient to leave the Ready Money Ranch for a while, although Bob Tyner is good enough to say I may have the place when I come back.  You know I often think of you and Phrasie back in Ripton, and I long to see the dear old town again.  Expect me when you see me.

“Your aff. son,
“Austen.”

CHAPTER II

ON THE TREATMENT OF PRODIGALS

While Euphrasia, in a frenzy of anticipation, garnished and swept the room which held for her so many memories of Austen’s boyhood, even beating the carpet with her own hands, Hilary Vane went about his business with no apparent lack of diligence.  But he was meditating.  He had many times listened to the Reverend Mr. Weightman read the parable from the pulpit, but he had never reflected how it would be to be the father of a real prodigal.  What was to be done about the calf?  Was there to be a calf, or was there not?  To tell the truth, Hilary wanted a calf, and yet to have one (in spite of Holy Writ) would seem to set a premium on disobedience and riotous living.