.

In the cattle country a visitor asked to dismount, makes camp or house
his home, never suggesting by word or glance a doubt that he is welcome
to water, pasturage, food, shelter, and warmth, so long as he needs to
stay. I had not invited this man to dismount.

Judged by these signs--chivalry, reticence, courtesy--Mrs. O'Flynn's
guest was not a cow-boy. His florid manners, exaggerated politeness, and
imitation of our middle-class English speech stamped him bounder, but
not of the British breed. Later, in moments of excitement, he spoke New
York, with a twang of music-hall.

Even in so lonely a place it is curious to remember that such a person
should appeal to me. Still in his common way the man had beauty, carried
his clothes well, moved with grace. So much the artist in me saw and
liked, but I think no woman could have seen those tragic eyes without
being influenced.

"Ah! Mrs. Smith, I believe?" He stood uncovered. "May I venture to ask
if your husband is at home? I think I had the pleasuah of knowing him
years ago down in Texas."

"He'll be back by noon."

"Thank you, madam. Fact is, we were very much surprised to see your
chimney smoke. We thought this exquisite place was quite unoccupied.
Indeed!"

"Who's 'we'?"

"Oh, we're the outfit riding for General Schmidt. We've come in search
of the spring feed. We were informed that Ponder's place was unoccupied,
open to all. Am I mistaken in supposing that this is Ponder's place?"

"It is."

"Er--may I venture to ask if your husband holds squatter's rights, or
has the homestead and preemption?"

"You may ask my husband."

"Thank you, madam. Our foreman instructed me to say that if the place
proved to be occupied, I was to ask terms for pasturage. We've only two
hundred head."

"Mr. Smith will consider the matter."

"We're camped in a little cave at the south end of the bench, deuced
comfortable."

Of course I know I'm a fool, and expect to be treated as such. But this
man claimed to have camped at the South Cave without passing this house,
which was impossible.

"Camped at South Cave?" said I. "In that event I need not detain you.
Mr. Smith no doubt will call on you after dinner. Good morning, sir."

But this was not to his mind, and I gathered vaguely that my husband was
not really wanted at the Bar Y camp. I even suspected that this visitor
would rather deal with me than see my husband. It required more than a
hint to secure his departure.

J