t to order us about and
say who's goin' in and who's to keep out?"

Something in his words caused her cheeks to burn, but strangely enough
she felt quite calm and strong in her innocence of any evil, and she
answered quietly enough.

"My name is Madge Nelson, if you want to know, and I am here at this
moment because I am taking care of Mr. Ennis. I feel responsible for
his welfare and will continue until he is better and able to speak for
himself, or--or until he is dead. I repeat that one of you may come
in--but no more."

It appeared that her manner impressed the men to some extent, if not
the three women who crowded behind. One of the visitors was scratching
the back of his neck.

"Look a-here, Aleck, I reckon that gal is talking sense, if Hugo's
real bad like she says. We ain't got no call to butt in an' make him
worse. I know when Mirandy was sick the Doc he told me ter take a club
if I had to, to keep folks out. Let Pat Kilrea go in if he wants to
an' we'll stay outside an' wait."

"Sure, that's right enough," said old man Prouty.

Pat advanced, but Maigan began to growl.

"Say, young 'ooman, I'll bash that dog's head in if you don't keep him
still," he said, truculently. "Keep a holt of him."

Madge pulled the dog back and quieted him.

"Be good, Maigan," she said. "It's all right, old fellow."

She entered the shack behind Pat Kilrea and closed the door. In doing
this she meant no offense to the others, who didn't mind, knowing that
with a cold of some twenty below people don't care for an excess of
ventilation. They stood, the men silently, the women putting their
heads together and whispering.

"Ain't she the brazen sassy thing?" remarked Mrs. Kilrea.

"Guess she ain't no better'n she should be," opined Sophy, acidly, as
she watched the door keenly.

Pat Kilrea went to the bunk and for an instant considered the sick
man's face. Then he scratched his head again.

"Hello, Hugo!" he finally called out. "What's the matter with ye?
Ain't--ain't tryin' to hide behind a gal's skirts, are ye?"

His arm was seized from behind. The girl's eyes flashed at him.

"I--I don't know who you are!" she exclaimed. "But if--if you say such
things I'll turn that dog on you, so help me God!"

"I--I don't reckon as I meant it," stammered Pat. "He--he does look
turriple sick, now me eyes is gettin' used to the light. Why, why
don't you speak, man?"

But the sufferer on the bunk made no answer save in some low f