e him dare to call on her
in her brother's own house, especially after her sister's direct cut at
the coach.

"Won't you be seated?" she asked, indicating her own chair by the light
and taking his hat. When the hat left him he suffered a loss, for he
had nothing to twist and grip. He replied by dropping into the chair,
not even seeing that it was out of range of the door as a compliment
to his hostess. There was no sign of a weapon on him, his holster being
empty; but his blue flannel shirt was unbuttoned, the opening hidden by
his neck-kerchief. He had, however, only put his Colt there to have it
out of sight, and not because he feared trouble. Habitual caution was
responsible for the shirt being open, for he was not even sure that he
would fight if trouble should come upon him, unless the women gave him
a clear field.

Helen drew a chair from the wall and seated herself in the semi-circle
which faced him.

"I am very glad that your wound has healed so nicely," she said with a
smile. "We are very sorry that you were hurt in our defense."

"Oh, it wasn't anything," he quickly replied, smiling deprecatingly. "You
fixed it up so nice that it didn't bother me at all--didn't hurt a bit."

"I am glad it was no worse," she replied, looking around the circle.
"Grace, Mary, you surely remember Mr.--Mr.----"

"Please call me by the name you know me by--The Orphan," smiling broadly.
"I've almost forgotten that I ever had any other name."

"Mr. Orphan--how funny it sounds," she laughed. "It's most original.
Margaret, this is the gentleman to whom we certainly owe our lives. Oh! I
know you don't like to be reminded of it," she went on, answering his
deprecatory gesture, "no doubt you are accustomed to that sort of thing
out here, but in the East such an experience does not often occur."

"I am glad indeed to know and thank you," said Mrs. Shields, impulsively
extending her hand. "Your bravery has put me still deeper in your
debt. My husband--" her feelings overcame her as she realized that this
was the man who had spared to her that husband, her laughing, burly,
broad-shouldered, big-hearted king of men. Was it possible that this
handsome, confident stripling was his peer?

Helen relieved the tension: "Mr. Orphan, this is Miss Ritchie, the same
Miss Ritchie who was so badly frightened when she first met you. Perhaps
you'll remember it. And this----"

"I wasn't! I wasn't one bit frightened!" declared Miss Ritchie hotly, t