e prairie stretched white and
still.

A bright fire and a singing coffee-pail welcomed the three as the door
swung wide, and the section-boss, who was urging Marylyn to "rustle some
grub," turned with a testy word. But he fell silent when he saw
Lounsbury, and edged into the dusky shelter of the hearth-side.

The storekeeper nodded to him, shook hands absently with the younger
girl, and took a bench. His face looked less full than usual, and was
lighted by no hearty smiles.

Little was said until breakfast was ready--a quick breakfast of bacon,
pone, and coffee. The three men warmed themselves. The girls moved
between fireplace and table. But when the plates were set and the coffee
poured, David Bond asked for the story of Matthews' doings, of the
affair at the saloon, the meeting with Colonel Cummings, and the
council. Dallas and Marylyn heard it from where they stood together
before the blaze. Lancaster heard it,--though he pretended not
to,--eating and drinking the while with angry smacks.

Lounsbury paid no attention to the section-boss. In fact, before his
recital was done, he had forgotten him. He talked quietly and without
boasting, his face now turned to David Bond, now to the girls.

"And you think," said the evangelist, when the story was finished, "you
think that Matthews will drop his claim to the Bend?"

Lounsbury arose, as if to go, and for the first time since his entrance
looked squarely at Lancaster. "This is what I think:" he answered, "in
Dakota, if a man jumps land that hasn't been improved, all he's got to
do is to hang on to it; don't have to rassle with any fine points of
law. This far west of stuffed chairs, there's a whole lot in public
sentiment." He crossed the room and picked up coat and cap.

"Of course," added David Bond, "following the law would strengthen the
case."

"Of course."

The section-boss adjusted his crutches and stood up. "You-all seem t' be
settlin' it 'thout any o' my lip," he said, and laughed mockingly.

"We have your interests at heart," replied the storekeeper.

Lancaster ground his teeth. Now that all danger was past, he felt no
gratitude for the routing of Matthews and the strategy at The Trooper's
Delight. He could only feel that his authority in his own home was
threatened. He turned his back.

Lounsbury glanced at the girls. They were watching their father
appealingly.

"I _should_ say," went on Lounsbury, "that we have the interests of your
daughter