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d McKee, who rode in advance of Bud, distinguished the voice of the Sheriff in expostulation against the general raillery concentrated upon him. The half-breed grinned wolfishly. It was evident that the bloodhound of the law had tracked the supposed murderer just as the real criminal had conjectured and desired. Polly ran out on the piazza. She saw the man whom she regarded as her lover's evil genius. As he greeted her ingratiatingly: "Howdy, Miss Polly," she replied sharply: "You ain't got no invite to this weddin'." "I come with my friend Bud," he explained, with an elaborate bow. "I didn't see you, Bud," answered Polly slightly mollified, as she crossed the door-yard to shake hands with her sweetheart. Buck offered her his hand, but she ignored him. McKee shrugged his shoulders, and started for the house. "Bud, he's some cast down because it's not his weddin'," was McKee's parting shot at the young couple. "I 'low I'll go in and join the boys. Excuse me." "With pleasure," coldly replied the girl. The half-breed ignored the sarcasm and, answering innocently, "Much obliged," he entered the house. Polly turned on Bud, displaying her resentment. "You an' him always kick up the devil when you're together. What did you bring him along fer?" she demanded. "It's his last chance to see any fun around here; he's leavin' for Texas," explained Bud. "Fer how long?" "Fer good." "Fer our good, you mean. There's too many of his kind comin' into this country. Did you hear about 'Ole Man' Terrill?" Bud did not wait for her to explain, but nervously answered: "They told us about it in Florence when we were coming through, We've been at the Lazy K." "Wasn't it dreadful?" rattled on Polly. "Slim's here--the boys are goin' to turn out with him after the weddin' to see if they can ketch the feller who did the killin'." Bud paled as he heard the news. To conceal his distress he moved toward the door. Anywhere to get away from the girl to whom he feared he would betray himself. "I'll join 'em," he huskily answered. Polly, however, could see no reason for his evident haste to leave her. She felt hurt, but thought his actions were due to her scolding him for being with McKee. "You ain't ever ast me how I look," she inquired, seeking to detain him. "You look fine," complimented Bud perfunctorily. "W'en a feller ain't seen a feller in a week, seems like a feller ought to brace up an
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