al suffering always distressed him
and Joe's bruised and bloody face was more than he could bear to look
at.

"For two cents I'd knock him on the head!" jerked out Gilmore.

"Oh, quit, Andy; let him alone! I want to ask him a question or two,"
said Langham.

"You'll never know from him what he said or didn't say--you'll learn
that from the judge himself," and Gilmore laughed harshly.

A minute or two passed before Langham could trust himself to speak. When
he did, he turned to Montgomery to ask:

"I wish you'd tell me as nearly as you can what you said to my father?"

"I didn't go there to tell him anything, boss; he just got it out of me.
What chance has a slob like me with him?"

"Got what out of you?" questioned Langham in a low voice.

"Well, he didn't get much, boss," replied Montgomery, shaking his head.

"But what did you tell him?" insisted Langham.

"I don't remember, boss, I was full, see--and maybe I said too much and
then agin maybe I didn't!"

"I hope you like this, Marsh; it's the sort of thing I been up against,"
said Gilmore.

By way of answer Langham made a weary gesture. The horror of the
situation was now a thing beyond fear.

"I'm for sending the drunken loafer to the other side of the continent,"
said Gilmore.

"What's the use of that?" asked Langham dully.

"Every use," rejoined Gilmore with fresh confidence. "It's enough, ain't
it, that he's talked to your father; we can't take chances on his
talking to any one else. There's the west-bound express; I'm for putting
him on that--there's time enough. We can give him a couple of hundred
dollars and that will be the end of him, for if he ever shows his face
here in Mount Hope, I'll break every bone in his body. What do you say?"

"Perhaps you are right!" And Langham glanced uncertainly at the
handy-man.

"Well, it's either that, or else I can knock him over the head. Perhaps
you had rather do that, it's more in your line."

"Boss, you give me the money and let me go now, and I won't _ever_ come
back!" cried Montgomery eagerly. "I been lookin' for the chance to get
clear of this bum town! I'll stay away, don't you lose no sleep about
that; I ain't got nothin' to ever bring me back."

And on the moment Mr. Montgomery banished from his mind and heart all
idea of the pure joys of domestic life. It was as if his old woman had
never been. He was sure travel was what he required, and a great deal
of it, and all in one direction--away f