r more alive than Ol' Matt's gal if he
ain't careful."

The girl caught her breath quickly. She knew the big ruffian's
methods, and with good reason feared for her old friend, should he
even unconsciously incur the giant's displeasure.

As they drew near the house, Wash continued, "Young Matt he was
there too. Let me tell you I ain't forgot 'bout his big show at
th' mill last spring; he'll have t' do a heap better'n he done
then, when I get 'round t' him."

Sammy laughed scornfully, "'Pears like you ain't been in no hurry
t' try it on. I ain't heard tell of Young Matt's leaving th'
country yet. You'd better stay away from Jennings' still though,
when you do try it." Then, while the man was tying his mule to the
fence, she ran into the cabin to greet her father with a
hysterical sob that greatly astonished Jim. Before explanations
could be made, a step was heard approaching the door, and Sammy
had just time to say, "Wash Gibbs," in answer to her father's
inquiring look, when the big man entered. Mr. Lane arose to hang
his violin on its peg.

"Don't stop fer me, Jim," said the newcomer. "Jest let her go. Me
an' Sammy's been havin' a nice little walk, an' some right peart
music would sound mighty fine." Gibbs was angered beyond reason at
Sammy's last words, or he would have exercised greater care.

Sammy's father made no reply until the girl had left the room, but
whatever it was that his keen eye read in his daughter's face, it
made him turn to his guest with anything but a cordial manner, and
there was that in his voice that should have warned the other.

"So you and Sammy went for a walk, did you?"

"She was comin' home from th' sheep ranch, an' I caught up with
her," explained Gibbs. "I 'lowed as how she needed company, so I
come 'long. I seemed t' be 'bout as welcome as usual," he added
with an ugly grin.

"Meanin' that my girl don't want your company, and told you so?"
asked the other softly.

Wash answered with a scowl; "Sammy's gettin' too dad burned good
fer me since Ollie's uncle took him in. An' now, this here old man
from nowhere has come, it's worse than ever. She'll put a rope
'round our necks th' first thing you know."

Jim's right hand slipped quietly inside his hickory shirt, where
the button was missing, as he drawled, "My girl always was too
good for some folks. And it's about time you was a findin' it out.
She can't help it. She was born that way. She's got mighty good
blood in her veins,