heard on the walk outside and a queer couple
introduced themselves to the Judge. The man had the face of a hawk, a
long beak that seemed as if it were prying into the most private
affairs of his audience. His loose-jointed body sprawled as he stood,
leaning against a post.

He was very different from the compact little woman beside him, who
held her plump body stiffly erect.

"My name's Kie Wicks," the man explained. "And this is the missus!"
Then on seeing the familiar face of Mrs. Patten he grew confused for a
moment and added: "Mrs. Patten there can tell you we're O. K. We have
the store over at Cayuga and I thought as how I'd better be a welcoming
committee and drop in and say howdy."

"Come right in," greeted the Judge, amused at the manners of the
mountaineer.

"We'll probably be seeing a good deal of each other, so I says to
Maude, (that's the missus) we'll just go over first thing and get
acquainted."

"That's very kind of you," smiled Mrs. Breckenridge from her chair.
"Do sit down, Mrs. Wicks. There's a nice shady place right here beside
me."

The Judge sized up the pair at once and did not care to be alone with
them at this time. Seeing that Mrs. Patten was getting ready to leave,
he begged her with a glance to delay her departure.

"You was just a-goin' wasn't you, Mrs. Patten?" enquired Kie Wicks.
"Don't let us stop you."

"Oh, I'm not in a hurry. I'll sit a while. It's been a long time
since I've seen Mrs. Wicks."

This did not seem to please Maude Wicks, but were was nothing further
to say. Mrs. Patten settled back in the easy chair and smiled.

Kie Wicks and his wife talked about the weather, the stock and the
sheep men, who should be run out of the country, he asserted
vehemently, and when finally he rose to go he said: "I'll be over some
day and have a talk with you private-like, Judge. There's people in
these mountains that you should be warned against. And I'm willing to
give you the inside facts about them. It's come to such a pass that
you can hardly trust anyone around you."

"Oh, now, Mr. Wicks," laughed Mrs. Patten. "You know that isn't so. I
think the people around here are a fine lot. They're neighborly and
kind when you're in trouble. Only last year when Dad cut his foot, the
men and boys came every day and helped with the cattle."

"Sure, that's right, Mrs. Patten. They _are_ kind hearted even if they
are ignorant," broke in Maude Wicks, her sharp little eyes