d the
heavy silence grew heavier.

The man who came out of the room was young, slight of figure, and he
limped a little. Nevertheless, there was nothing of dejection in his
bearing or his face. He was freckled to a degree, smooth-shaven, and his
teeth were beautiful. He had fine eyes also, a deep blue, flashing like
steel as they moved from one object to another. The eyes were keen,
alert, and determined; but being set rather wide apart under his light
brows, they gave the face a candid, almost artless, look, and when he
smiled the deep dimple in his cheek made it as merry as a child's.

"Good evening, gentlemen," said he cheerfully. No one responded. Robbins
made a gurgle in his throat, which the newcomer generously accepted for
salutation, promptly approaching the fire at Robbins' elbow.

"Cold weather," said he. Two or three of the company lifted their heads
and eyed the speaker. Robbins wondered were they as keenly conscious as
he of the young fellow's trimly fitted clothes, what good quality that
rough plaided brown stuff was, how dainty was his linen. He looked at
the home people's ragged coats, he thought of the poverty that he knew,
and the reflection of a sneer was on his own lips, and, somehow, a lump
in his throat.

"Too cold weather for folks to travel unless they're wanted bad!" said
the gray-haired man on the edge of the company. There was a thrill of
some strong feeling in his deep voice.

"It does seem that way," agreed the young man with undiminished
vivacity. "I am glad to get to a shelter. By the way, I hear this is a
dry town. Will some of you gentlemen have something with me?" He had
pulled out a flask and was flashing his brilliant smile at Robbins.

"No, thank you, I don't drink," said Robbins; but he felt his throat
itching at the sight.

"We'll drink your licker after we've finished our business with you,"
the gray man struck in. He was old Captain Sparks, who had been very
bitter since his eldest son went crazy with overwork and sunstroke and
killed himself. The other men laughed. They looked at each other; they
looked with goading hate in their dull eyes at the stranger; and they
laughed.

"Here, Johnny," said the young man, taking no notice, "run up to
twenty-five and fetch me the bag there, the black one. If we are to
drink to our business, I want you all to join. You are all interested, I
take it? And get some glasses while you are about it."

The boy whom he addressed, the landl