lked.

"Yes, in time I suppose one does become accustomed to danger," she
replied, "although I'll be frank enough to admit that I don't believe
I could," glancing at her friend. "You risked much by coming here
to-night--just suppose that you had called last night!"

"The danger was only from a chance recognition in the street," he replied,
smiling, "and it would have been equally dangerous for the man who
recognized me, and perhaps more so, since I was on the lookout--that
balances. I would be the last man anyone would expect to be in Ford's
Station at this time, and once free of the town, I could elude the
pursuers in the dark. And as for the sheriff, I knew that he was not
at home to-night, and, had he been so, I doubt if it would have stayed
me, for he is fair and square, and an unarmed man is safe with him in
his own house. He understands what a truce means, and we had one before."

Mrs. Shields smiled at him in such warmth that he thanked his stars that
he had played fair out by the bowlder.

"He told us of that!" Helen exclaimed, laughingly. "It was splendid of
you, both of you. And, do you know, I liked you much better for it. And
I wanted to meet you again and talk with you; I'm dreadfully curious."

"Helen!" reproved her sister, and, turning from the girl to him, she tried
to explain away her sister's boldness. "You must excuse Helen, Mr.--Mr.
Orphan, because she is not a day older than she was five years ago."

"Why, Mary!" cried Helen, reproachfully, "how can you say that? Just the
other day you said that I was quite grown up and dignified. I am sure that
Mr.--oh, goodness, there's that name again!" she bewailed. "Why don't you
get another name--that one sounds so funny!"

The Orphan laughed: "I am not responsible for the name, I had no hand in
it. But, let's see what we can do," he said, counting on his fingers.
"There's Smith, Brown, Jones--Jones sounds well, why not say it?" he asked
gravely. "I am sure that's easier to say and remember."

"Yes, that _is_ better!" she cried. "Let's see," she said, experimenting.
"Mr. Jones, Mr. Jones--oh, pshaw, I like the other much better. I trust
that I'll get accustomed to it in time, and I certainly should, because I
hear it enough; only then it hasn't that formal Mister before it. And it
is the Mister that causes all the trouble. Now, I'll try it again: I'm
sure that The Orphan (I said that real nicely, didn't I?) I'm sure that
The Orphan doesn't think me lack