nging with vague fears, leaving Magnus
before his office desk, his head in his hands, thoughtful, gloomy,
assaulted by forebodings.

Meanwhile, Annixter, Phelps, and Presley continued on their way toward
Bonneville. In a short time they had turned into the County Road by
the great watering-tank, and proceeded onward in the shade of the
interminable line of poplar trees, the wind-break that stretched along
the roadside bordering the Broderson ranch. But as they drew near to
Caraher's saloon and grocery, about half a mile outside of Bonneville,
they recognised Harran's horse tied to the railing in front of it.
Annixter left the others and went in to see Harran.

"Harran," he said, when the two had sat down on either side of one of
the small tables, "you've got to make up your mind one way or another
pretty soon. What are you going to do? Are you going to stand by and see
the rest of the Committee spending money by the bucketful in this thing
and keep your hands in your pockets? If we win, you'll benefit just as
much as the rest of us. I suppose you've got some money of your own--you
have, haven't you? You are your father's manager, aren't you?"

Disconcerted at Annixter's directness, Harran stammered an affirmative,
adding:

"It's hard to know just what to do. It's a mean position for me, Buck. I
want to help you others, but I do want to play fair. I don't know how to
play any other way. I should like to have a line from the Governor as
to how to act, but there's no getting a word out of him these days. He
seems to want to let me decide for myself."

"Well, look here," put in Annixter. "Suppose you keep out of the thing
till it's all over, and then share and share alike with the Committee on
campaign expenses."

Harran fell thoughtful, his hands in his pockets, frowning moodily at
the toe of his boot. There was a silence. Then:

"I don't like to go it blind," he hazarded. "I'm sort of sharing the
responsibility of what you do, then. I'm a silent partner. And, then--I
don't want to have any difficulties with the Governor. We've always got
along well together. He wouldn't like it, you know, if I did anything
like that." "Say," exclaimed Annixter abruptly, "if the Governor says
he will keep his hands off, and that you can do as you please, will you
come in? For God's sake, let us ranchers act together for once. Let's
stand in with each other in ONE fight."

Without knowing it, Annixter had touched the right spring.