llowed about the domestic
resources of the place, in which Annie was immediately interested.

"But I've got four hens," said Mary Gage, smiling.

"Well, it seems to be a right cheerful, friendly sort of place, don't
it?" said Annie after a while, "where they come in and kill the cattle
and horses and burn the house, and run away with people!" She was
looking at the burned door jamb of Sim Gage's cabin as she spoke.
Doctor Barnes had told her the story of the raid.

"Who's _that_ coming in?" she remarked after a time, having caught
sight through the window of an approaching figure.

"That's your neighbor, Wid Gardner," said Doctor Barnes.

"He's taller than some," said Annie after a time. "Gee, ain't he
plain! And ain't he sunburned!"

Wid Gardner himself presently approached the door, to be suddenly taken
aback when he met the somewhat robust and blooming young person who had
just arrived.

"You've knew Mrs. Gage for some time?" he managed to say at last, to
make conversation, after he also had declared himself pleased to meet
the newcomer.

"Lived together for years," said Annie. "Only real pal I ever had. I
took care of her the best I knew how. I'm going to keep on." A
certain truculence was in her tone.

Wid Gardner and Annie Squires soon found themselves together and
somewhat apart, for she beckoned him to meet her outside the cabin.

"Say, Mister," said she to him suddenly, "tell me,--are you the man
that wrote them letters to us girls? I know he never done nothing like
that." She indicated Sim Gage, who stood staring vacuously at her
trunk, which still stood upon the ground near the car.

Wid Gardner flushed deeply. "I ain't saying one way or the other,"
said he. "But I know the letters went, all right. Like enough we both
ought to of been shot for it."

"You know it, and you said it!"

"But now, Miss Squires," he went on, "we didn't ever really suppose
that anybody would answer our fool letters. We never did realize that
a girl would actual be so foolish, way that one was."

"Fine business, wasn't it, you men--to treat a good clean girl like
that! Look at that!" Again she indicated Sim Gage, withering contempt
in her tone.

"Who's going to run this place?" she demanded. "She can't."

"I dunno," said Wid Gardner vaguely. "You won't be going back right
away, will you?"'

"Not any quicker'n God'll let me!" said Annie Squires. Which struck
poor Wid silent.

Doctor Barnes and