e former
did, Douglass evincing a certain restlessness which he, however,
successfully strove to conceal from the younger man. He was all
impatience for the departure of Carter and his sister, for reasons that
he did not care to share with either, and he felt a positive relief when
the day of their leaving was definitely announced.

Carter had been vainly endeavoring to persuade him to accompany them,
and one night enlisted his sister s influence to that end; her gentle
insistence precipitated Douglass's proffer of repayment of the losses
incurred through Matlock's emity.

"I haven't either the time or means at my disposal for such a junket,"
he said with decision. "I alone am responsible for all the losses
occurring on this ranch of late, and there's just about enough due me on
salary account to square it up. I've got it all figured out here,"
producing a memorandum sheet, "and I think my estimate of the damage is
a fair one; I'd like your approval of it. It leaves a trifle over a
hundred left coming to me and I've got other and more urgent uses for
it. Besides, I've got work to do that can't be postponed."

Carter heard him in open-mouthed amazement, his astonishment changing
first to amusement, then to indignation as he gathered the drift of
Douglass's intent. Grace, suddenly comprehending many things previously
only hinted at, looked genuinely distressed and tapped nervously on the
carpet with her sandaled foot.

"Why, man, you're crazy!" shouted Carter. "Do you think for a moment
that I will permit you to even contemplate such an absurdity?"

"Pardon me," said Douglass, suavely; "the question of your permit does
not enter into the matter at all; and I've done all the thinking
necessary. I have had it under contemplation for a long time. This
business is going to be settled right here and now!" There was no
mistaking his determination and Carter was dumb-foundered.

"But--" he stammered, protestingly, "the thing is utterly inconceivable!
I could not even momentarily entertain such a preposterous proposal.
Why, supposing for argument's sake, that Matlock's private animosity to
you in person had brought this about, how does that inculpate you? And
if it did, do you think I would stand for your only taking a paltry
hundred dollars for a whole season's hard work, the best work ever done
on this range? Nonsense, old fellow; you've got another think coming!"

"Well, I'm thinking that a hundred odd is just what's co