w farmers who lived toward the Fort
came with their wives and children in horse-wagons and ox-wagons; the
ranchers with their families drove for the most part in DEMOCRATS and
buckboards; but many of the ranchers and their wives and all the
cowboys came on horseback. There had never been such a gathering at
Loon Lake within the memory of the oldest timer. The preparations for
supper were elaborate and impressive. It was important that this part
of the evening's proceedings should go off well. As Shock, passing up
and down, witnessed the abounding hilarity of those who thronged the
supper-tables his mind was relieved of all anxiety as to the success of
the entertainment to follow. With great difficulty Sinclair, who was a
shy man, was persuaded to preside as chairman. It was only the promise
of Shock to support him on the one side and of Father Mike, who was
almost as much interested in the success of the entertainment as Shock
himself, on the other, that induced Sinclair finally to accept this
responsible and honourable position. It was indeed an hour of triumph
to Shock and his fellow-workers, and as the entertainment progressed
they gathered satisfaction to the full from the manifestations of
delight on the part of the audience that packed the building to the
doors.

After the entertainment had well begun a stranger appeared at the door
asking for the minister.

"Well," said Ike, who was performing the responsible duty of
door-keeper, "you can't see him, not now. What's required?"

"I guess it's pretty important," the stranger said.

"It's a telegram. In fact, it's bad news, so Mr. McIntyre of Big River
said."

"Bad news!" exclaimed Ike. "Mighty bad time to bring bad news. Why
couldn't you wait?"

"Some things can't wait," said the man briefly. "Guess you'd better
read it, it's open."

"Not me," said Ike, shrinking from this liberty. "Send for The Kid."

In a few moments The Kid appeared and, taking the telegram from Ike,
read it.

"The Lord help us!" he exclaimed as he read the wire. He took Ike to
one side away from the crowd and read him the words: "'Your mother
seriously ill. Doctors hold out no hope of recovery. Signed, BROWN.'"

"His mother! Say, boss, what'll we do? He thinks a mighty lot of his
mother. I've heerd him talk. This will purty nigh kill him, I guess."

They stood for some moments looking blankly at each other, unwilling to
deliver the blow which they knew would strike deep into the he