hink so. Then the husband swore vengeance, and it is supposed
posted the cattle thieves so that they could clean out the wicked
betrayer's stock. Now the lawyers are awaiting their witness, sorrowing,
and can't find him, while the boys are saying that if he doesn't reappear
the accused will get off."

"That is hardly a desirable certificate of character for my daughter's
suitor," said Colonel Carrington.

"Do you believe this infamous libel?" I asked fiercely. And his thin lips
curled as he answered:

"Frankly, I do not--that is to say, not the whole of it. But there are
others who will; and I can hardly congratulate you on your generally
accepted reputation. That alone would be a sufficient barrier to an
alliance with my family."

"But you almost made a conditional promise," I said, mastering my wrath.
And the Colonel answered lightly:

"I merely said that we would discuss the affair again; and we have done
so. Several things have transpired in the meantime, unfortunately for
you."

"Then there is nothing but open defiance," I said. "I made you a certain
promise in return, and I kept it. But I warn you now that I will marry
Miss Carrington in spite of you. As to that clipping, the prosecutor will
be found, and if there is a law in Canada a full apology will be printed
in the journal. I have nothing more to say."

"You have said sufficient, and I think you are foolish. Any legal action
will only make a hole in your scanty exchequer. I wish you good morning,"
and Colonel Carrington held the door wide open, while, boiling over with
fury, I took myself away.

I have often since then pondered over that interview, and could only guess
at the reason for the Colonel's evident change of front. I do not think it
was due to the paragraph; but if he had some fresh scheme in contemplation
we never learned it, and Colonel Carrington is past all explanations now.

When I had partly recovered I showed Harry the paper, and he frowned as he
said: "I always anticipated something like this; but of course the present
is not the time to tell you so. It rose out of the cattle deal; and you
will take whatever steps you think best at our joint expense. In any case,
we have only the one purse between us. The sooner you go back the
better."

It was good advice, and I proceeded to act on it by telegraphing up the
line for a messenger to ride to Harry's camp and send down any letters
that might be waiting, after which I sought an inter