d into the room.

"What is the meaning of this disobedience?" he sternly demanded,
speaking to Winnie.

She staggered to her feet, trembling before him. Badger sprang up, erect
and defiant.

"I thought you promised me that you would never meet him again?"

She did not answer.

He turned with flashing eyes on the Westerner.

"And I forbade you the house, sir!"

Badger wanted to take him by the throat.

"See here, Mr. Lee!" he said, in a voice that demanded a hearing. "I
know you told me that I wasn't welcome in this house, and I reckon I
know full well that I am not welcome. But that's no sign that I am going
to stay out of it, as long as it shelters your daughter!"

"Winnie, you will go to your room!"

He advanced toward her, and she drew away from Badger. But she did not
go toward the door. Her father stepped to her side.

"There is the door!" Lee commanded, addressing the Kansan.

"I see it," said Badger. "You don't need to show it to me!"

"Will you go out of it? Will you leave this house?" Fairfax Lee was
panting with rage. "Get out of this room!" he cried.

Badger straightened his thick shoulders, and his broad, white teeth
gleamed unpleasantly.

"Mr. Lee, you are Winnie's father, and because of that I shall pay no
attention to your insults; but I tell you now, that you may understand
it, that I love your daughter and intend to marry her!"

"By heavens, you never shall!"

"It may be a long trail, Mr. Lee, but there will be a home-coming at the
end of it. I shall see her as often as I can, and I shall write to her
when I can, and I shall marry her! I have promised to, and I'll do it!"

"Never speak to my daughter again!" Mr. Lee thundered, pointing Badger
to the door.

"Good night, Winnie," said the Kansan, as he passed out. "There will be
better days by and by."

Then he fairly reeled down the stairway, sick and giddy and almost
gasping, yet shaking with rage against Fairfax Lee.

Badger waited in the vicinity of the house in a fever of impatience
until Merriwell appeared. Though a more inauspicious time, seemingly,
could not have been found, he had strong confidence in Frank's ability
to aid him. It was a feeling which was invariably produced in the hearts
of all.

He met Merriwell at some distance from the Lee residence, and drew him
away for a talk, in which he acquainted him with what had taken place.
Then Frank went on into the house, and the Westerner recommenced his
vigil.

The