im Yeager of all men," she scoffed. Then, with a
flash of angry eyes at him, "How would you like it if your friends
rounded on you? By all accounts, you're not quite a plaster saint. I've
heard stories."

"What about?"

"Oh, gambling and drinking. What of it? That's _your_ business. One
doesn't have to believe all the talk that is flying around." She spoke
with a kind of fine scorn, for she was a girl of large generosities.

"We've all got enemies, I reckon," he said sulkily.

"You're Phil's friend, and mine, too, of course. I dare say you have
your faults like other men, but I don't have to listen to people while
they try to poison my mind against you. What's more, I don't."

She had been agile-minded enough to shift the attack and put him upon
the defensive, but now Healy brought the question back to his original
point.

"That's all very well, Phyl, but we weren't talking about me, but about
you. When you found this Keller making his escape you buckled in and
helped him. You tied up his wound and took him to Yeager's and lied for
him to us. That's bad enough, but later you did a heap worse."

"In saving him from being lynched by you?"

"Before that you made a fuss about him and had to tie up his wounds. I
had a cut on _my_ cheek, but I notice you didn't tie it up!"

"I'm surprised at you, Brill. I didn't think you were so small; and just
because I didn't let a wounded man suffer."

"You can put it that way if you want to," he laughed unpleasantly.

Her passion flared again. "You and your insinuations! Who made you the
judge over my actions? You talk as if you were my father. If you've got
to reform somebody, let it be yourself."

"I'm the man that is going to be your husband," he said evenly. "That
gives me a right."

"Never! Don't think it," she flung back. "I'd not marry you if you were
the last man on earth."

"You'll see. I'll not let a scoundrel like Keller come between us. No,
nor Yeager, either. Nor Buck Weaver himself. I notice he was right
attentive before he went home."

Resentment burned angrily on her cheek. "Anybody else?" she asked
quietly.

"That's all for just now. You're a natural-born flirt, Phyllis. That's
what's the matter with you."

"Thank you, Mr. Healy. You're the only one of my friends that has been
so honest with me," she assured him sweetly.

"I'm the only one of them that is going to marry you. Don't think I'll
let Keller butt in. Not on your life."

Her rage broke