oes matter, and matters pretty
badly, is that some day, if you stop around Rocky Springs, you'll find
it up to you to take sides between Fyles and----"

"And?" Bill's interest had become suddenly absorbed as his brother
paused, his gaze once more drifting away beyond the river. Finally,
Charlie turned back to him.

"Me," he said quietly. And the two stood facing each other, eye to
eye.

It was some moments before Bill's slow-moving wit came to his aid. He
was so startled that it was even slower than usual.

"You and--Fyles?" he said at last, his eyes full of absurd wonder. "I
don't understand. You--you are not against the law?"

Bill's wonder had changed to apprehension, and the sight of it
distracted his brother's more serious mood.

"Does a fellow always need to be against the law to get up against a
police officer?" he inquired, with a smile of amusement. Then his
smile died out, and he went on enigmatically. "Men can scrap about
most anything," he said slowly. "Men who _are_ men. I may be a poor
example, but----Say, when Fyles takes hold of things in Rocky Springs,
I guess he isn't likely to feel kindly disposed my way. That being so,
you'll surely be fixed one way or the other. Get me, Bill?"

Bill nodded dubiously.

"I get that, but--I don't understand----" he began.

But Charlie gave him no time to finish.

"Don't worry to," he said quickly. Then he gripped the other's
muscular arm affectionately. "See you later," he added, smiling
whimsically up into the troubled blue eyes as he moved off the
veranda.

Bill was left puzzled. He was thinking very hard and very slowly as he
looked after the departing man. He watched him till he reached the
barn and disappeared within it to get his horse. Then he, too, moved
away, but it was in the direction of the trail which led ultimately to
the village.

Bill's nature was too recklessly happy to long remain a prey to
disquieting thoughts. Once the avenue of spruce trees swallowed him up
he abandoned all further contemplation of his disquietude, and gave
himself up to the full enjoyment of his new surroundings.

* * * * *

It was in the gayest possible mood and highest spirits that Helen,
with her "two-book" excuse tucked under her arm, set out for Charlie
Bryant's ranch.

When she appeared at supper time Kate's dark eyes shone with
admiration and a lurking mischief. At the sight of Helen she clapped
her hands delightedly. The