oke into his
puzzled correction, and then he caught the drift of her harmless
pretence and obliterated himself with a low grunt of perplexity.

"Why, no, I'm _J. W._ Long, of the 'Live and Let Live Grocery,'" the
merchant said. "The other feller is _L. A._ I've had circulars scattered
broadcast all over your county. Looks like you'd have seen some of 'em.
I believe in lettin' folks know you are alive and in the push. I'm
surprised that Alf didn't tell you about me and my business, even if you
hain't heard it from others over your way or through the papers."

"There are some Longs that rented land from me a few years ago," Dixie
said, evasively. "I wonder if they are akin to you. Seems to me, now I
think of it, that you favor 'em some."

"They may be away-off fourth or fifth cousins, I don't really know."
Long looked as if he thought the conversation had taken quite an
unprofitable turn. "I never was much of a hand to keep track of far-off
kin. Folks is liable to want credit on a score like that, and think they
never have to settle."

Then the colloquy languished. Henley was plainly not a success as a
manager of delicate situations. What puzzled him beyond any mystery he
had ever stumbled on in the intricate make-up of his charming neighbor
was her evident cool and detached enjoyment of his and Long's
awkwardness. At any rate, he reflected with satisfaction, he could
extricate himself from the tangle, and in that, at least, he felt that
he had the advantage of Long.

"I see an old fellow over there at that covered wagon that was bantering
me for a hoss-trade the other day," he courageously threw into the gap.
"I believe I'll go see how he talks now. There will be a sight of
hoss-flesh change hands to-day. I understand there's a gypsy camp in the
edge o' town, and they are the dickens on a swap."

"Hold on a minute!" Long called out, as Henley was moving off, his hat
lifted. "I want to see you."

Henley pulled up a few yards away, behind Dixie's back, and Long joined
him.

"Are you going to leave me the bag to hold?" Long asked, in a tone of
blended gratification and nervousness.

"I don't see that I'm doing you one bit of good," Henley answered,
gravely. "This is your day of grace. If you can't fix things up after
what I've done we'll have to call it off. I've done my part. I fetched
her here, but I can't make women out, and I don't intend to try. Life is
too short. When I get bothered about what a woman's goi