Farris, the artist, both of the sophisticated, self-sufficient type,
were little behind the major in interest.

During the last week of May, a rumor came to Judith's ears of which, at
first, she thought little. Carson, coming to her upon a bit of ranch
business, remarked dryly before taking his departure, that a report had
got around among his men--Poker Face had mentioned it to him--that Blue
Lake ranch was on its last legs; that it was even to be doubted, if the
men ever saw another pay-day before the whole affair went into a
receiver's hands. Judith laughed at him and told him not to worry.

"Me?" said Carson. "I'm not the worrying kind. But idees like that
ain't good to have floating around. A man won't do more'n half work
when he's wondering all the time if he's going to get his mazuma for
it."

But, when again the rumor came, this time telephoned up to her from the
Lower End by Doc Tripp, she frowned and wondered. And she was careful,
upon the thirtieth of May, to send Charlie Miller, the storekeeper,
into Rocky Bend for the monthly pay-roll money. She gave him her check
for one thousand dollars which, with what was in Charlie's safe at the
store and in her own here, would more than pay the monthly wages.
Charlie left for Rocky Bend in the afternoon, spending the night in
town to get the customary morning start for the ranch. The men were to
be paid at six o'clock.

Upon this same day Pollock Hampton told Judith that Bayne Trevors was
coming to the ranch to have dinner, spend the night and the following
day. Judith made no reply beyond favoring him with a quick look of
question. She had not believed that the man would come. What next?

The last day of May came, and true to his premise, Trevors was a guest
at the house from which, so short a time ago, he had been evicted. He
dined there that night, cool and self-confident, casually polite to
Judith, civil and courteous to the other guests, especially to Major
and Mrs. Langworthy and Marcia, leading conversations unobtrusively,
making himself liked. He watched a game of billiards, but refused to
play, saying carelessly that he had a stiff shoulder. He and Hampton
strolled out into the starlight and for some two or three hours walked
up and down, talking quietly.

"A gentleman!" cried Mrs. Langworthy with spirit. "It just shows that
a person can do out-doors work and not sink back into the barbarian!"

The morning after Trevors's arrival, Judi