when things I could do needed doin', and I'm goin' to be prisent now,
and in the future, to put my hand up against wrong-doin' if I can."
O'mie paused, while that little dry cough that brought a red spot to
each cheek had its way.

"Now, Lettie, you've had your say with me, and your mind's relieved.
It's my time to say a few things, and you must listen."

Lettie sat looking at the floor.

"I don't know why I have to listen," she spoke defiantly.

"Nor do I know why I had to listen to what you said. You don't need to,
but I would if I was you. It may be all the better for you in a year if
you do. You spake av bein' tagged wherever you go. Who begun it? I'll
tell you. Back in the summer one day, two people drove out to the stone
cabin, the haunted one, by the river in the draw below the big
cottonwood. Somebody made his home there, somebody who didn't dare to
show his face in Springvale by day, 'cause his hand's been lifted to
murder his fellow man. But he hangs 'round here, skulkin' in by night to
see the men he does business with, and meetin' foolish girls who ought
never to trust him a minute. This man's waiting his chance to commit
murder again, or worse. I know, fur I've laid fur him too many times.
There's no cruel-hearted savage on the Plains more dangerous to the
settlers on the frontier; not one av 'em 'ud burn a house, and kill men
and children, and torture and carry off women, quicker than this
miserable dog that a girl who should value her good name has been
counsellin' with time and again, this summer, partly on account of
jealousy, and partly because of a silly notion of bein' romantic. Back
in June she made a trip to the cabin double quick to warn the varmint
roostin' there. In her haste she dropped a bow of purple ribbon which
with some other finery a certain little store-keeper gives her to do his
spyin' fur him. It's a blamed lovely cabal in this town. I know 'em all
by name.

"Spakin' of bein' paupers and bein' kept by Judson, Lettie--who is
payin' the wages of sin, in money and fine clothes, right now? It's on
the books, and I kape the books. But, my dear girl,"--O'mie looked
straight into her black eyes--"they's books bein' kept of the purpose,
price av the goods, and money. And you and him may answer for that. I
can swear in coort only to what Judson spends on you; you know what
for."

Lettie cowered down before her inquisitor, and her anger was mingled
with fear and shame.

"This purple bo