venty-Five.

"I see. Then Mr. Silsbie ENTICED her away?"

"Well, ma'am, it WAS allowed as she runned away. But it wasn't proved,
and it generally wasn't her style."

Mrs. Rightbody trifled with her next question.

"She was pretty, of course?"

The eyes of both men brightened.

"She was THAT!" said Seventy-Four emphatically.

"It would have done you good to see her!" added Seventy-Five.

Mrs. Rightbody inwardly doubted it; but, before she could ask another
question, the two men again retired to the corner for consultation. When
they came back, there was a shade more of kindliness and confidence in
their manner; and Seventy-Four opened his mind more freely.

"We wish to say, ma'am, looking at the thing, by and large, in a
far-minded way, that, ez YOU seem interested, and ez Mr. Rightbody was
interested, and was, according to all accounts, deceived and led away by
Silsbie, that we don't mind listening to any proposition YOU might make,
as a lady--allowin' you was ekally interested."

"I understand," said Mrs. Rightbody quickly. "And you will furnish me
with any papers?"

The two men again consulted.

"We wish to say, ma'am, that we think she's got papers, but--"

"I MUST have them, you understand," interrupted Mrs. Rightbody, "at any
price.

"We was about to say, ma'am," said Seventy-Four slowly, "that,
considerin' all things,--and you being a lady--you kin have HER, papers,
pedigree, and guaranty, for twelve hundred dollars."

It has been alleged that Mrs. Rightbody asked only one question more,
and then fainted. It is known, however, that by the next day it
was understood in Deadwood that Mrs. Rightbody had confessed to the
Vigilance Committee that her husband, a celebrated Boston millionaire,
anxious to gain possession of Abner Springer's well-known sorrel mare,
had incited the unfortunate Josh Silsbie to steal it; and that finally,
failing in this, the widow of the deceased Boston millionaire was now in
personal negotiation with the owners.

Howbeit, Miss Alice, returning home that afternoon, found her mother
with a violent headache.

"We will leave here by the next steamer," said Mrs. Rightbody languidly.
"Mr. Ryder has promised to accompany us."

"But, mother--"

"The climate, Alice, is over-rated. My nerves are already suffering
from it. The associations are unfit for you, and Mr. Marvin is naturally
impatient."

Miss Alice colored slightly.

"But your quest, mother?"

"I've abandoned i