tide of reaction, was struggling for composure. She put
out a trembling hand for the weapon.

"Got a rifle, too, haven't you?" he asked.

"No. Dad took it."

"Good Heavens! I'm glad I didn't know that coming down!"

"How'd you happen to come?"

"I saw the sleigh go by, and was sure something had scared your father
about the claim. So I didn't wait to black my boots."

"Oh, it was a comfort to hear you," she said.

"Was it?" eagerly. He stepped toward her; then drew back. "Well,"--with
a feeble attempt at humour--"I'd rather be a comfort than a wet
blanket." He had remembered that evil eyes were watching; that his least
move might subject Lancaster's daughters to the coarse comment of Shanty
Town. He dared not even remain out of his saddle. He mounted.

"Oh, you're going to leave us!" exclaimed Marylyn. She began to cry
helplessly.

"But I'll be on the lookout every second," he declared. "Miss
Dallas,"--he urged his horse up to the window--"don't think I'm idiot
enough to try to do up that saloon gang down there single-handed. If I
go to Shanty Town, it'll be because I have to. I won't go alone if I
can help it. First of all, I intend to see the Colonel over there, and
lay this matter before him."

"But dad----" she began.

"Got to do it, whether your father likes it or not. We're dealing with a
cutthroat. He knows this land's worth money."

"Yes----"

"And you can't tell what he'll do." He bent to her. "That scoundrel
scared you," he said regretfully. "You're ready to drop. Oh, yes, you
are! And it's my fault. I knew he might come any day--that he'd make
trouble. But I didn't believe he'd get here so soon, I----"

"I'd given him up," she said.

"You! You _did_ know, then!"

"Quite a while ago."

"Knew what?" asked Marylyn, stopping her tears. Then, certain that there
was some awful secret behind it all, and that it was being kept from
her, she began to cry again.

Dallas soothed her, and explained.

"Do you know when Matthews' six months is up?" Lounsbury inquired.

"To-night, at twelve."

"To-night! Well, we've got to keep him off. He may try to establish
residence in a wickie-up."

"But hasn't he a right? Can't he----"

"He hasn't, and he can't. And if he comes this way after midnight, I'll
fix _him_ for trespassing!" He laughed.

"I wish you wouldn't go to the Fort, though. You've heard dad--you know
how he feels."

"I wouldn't go if I didn't have to. But the temperature's falling.