gh," he added with a smile, "I wasn't ever in hell and couldn't be
positive. I was just accepting what I've heard preachers say about it.
The Secretary asked me if I knowed you and I told him that though I
didn't I would be right glad to if you was doing anything in my line. He
laughed and said he'd miss his guess if you wasn't making things
interesting. Told me to get you to one side and tell you to go to it."
He smiled dryly. "According to what I've read in the _Kicker_ you don't
need to be told that and so I'm keeping my mouth shut."

He dropped his humor and spoke seriously, questioning Hollis about the
location of his ranch, listening quietly and attentively to the latter's
answers. Half an hour later after having arranged with Judge Graney for
the registering of his brand and the listing of his cattle, Hollis left
the court house and went to his office. In running through his mail he
came upon Judge Graney's notification and also another letter,
postmarked "Chicago," which drew a pleased smile to his face. A few
minutes later Norton came in, and though Hollis had done very little on
the paper he rose and smilingly announced his intention of returning to
the Circle Bar.

"We'll take the Coyote trail," he informed Norton, after they had
mounted and were riding away from the _Kicker_ office; "I'm stopping for a
moment at the Hazelton cabin. Of course," he added, seeing a knowing
grin on Norton's face, "I expected you would be suspicious--married
folks have a habit of adopting a supercilious and all-wise attitude
toward those of us who have been unfortunate enough to remain in a state
of single blessedness."

"Meanin' that you're some sore because you ain't got hooked up yet?"
grinned Norton.

"Perhaps," laughed Hollis. "But I have been thinking seriously of trying
to reach your altitude."

"Girl willin'?" queried Norton, as they rode down through a little
gully, then up to a stretch of plain that brought them to the Coyote
trail.

"That's where I am all at sea," returned Hollis. He laughed. "I suppose
you've read Ace's poem in the Kicker?" He caught Norton's nod and
continued. "Well, Ace succeeded in crowding a whole lot of truth into
that effort. Of course you remember the first couplet:

"'Woman--she don't need no tooter,
Be she skule ma'am or biscut shooter."'

he quoted.

"A woman seems to have an intuitive knowledge of man's mental processes.
At least she gauges him pretty well without lettin