ous."

Although the patronage of the Heavenly Bower had shrunk a good deal,
Landlord Ortigies was as genial and hospitable as ever. The new
arrivals had time only for a few secret comments, when he came
forward:

"Strangers, you're welcome to the best we have, which isn't anything
to boast of; look as if you had rid a good many miles and you must be
as tired and thirsty as your animals. If you'll turn 'em over to Vose
Adams, he'll 'tend to them, and, if you'll allow me, you shall have a
good meal, which before the same, I beg to tender you some distilled
home brewed Mountain Dew."

Thanking the landlord for his offer, the men dismounted and waited
outside, while he brought forth two glasses, half-filled with the
fiery stuff of the poetical name. One of the men took his and eagerly
swallowed it. The other held his aloft, where under the bright
sunlight it glowed crimson like blood. With his hand motionless for a
moment, he slowly inverted the glass and allowed the liquid to run out
on the ground.

"Max, I reckon you haven't forgot when I done something like that some
four years ago," said the man, turning toward the astonished host.

CHAPTER XI

WAITING

"Wade Ruggles, as I'm alive!" exclaimed the delighted landlord,
rushing forward and grasping his hand. Instantly the group closed in,
and there was such laughing and handshaking that for a time nothing
was clearly distinguished.

"I was suspicious," remarked the parson; "but, though you both had
beards when you went away, these have grown so much that they have
greatly altered your appearance."

He scanned the other man closely, but before the parson had identified
him, several others had done so.

"It's Al Bidwell!"

"Yes," replied the laughing Ruggles; "that's the fellow, but I'm sorry
to say that since they made a major-general of him, he's become a
reg'lar dude. He doesn't go out when it rains for fear of soiling his
uniform, and the noise of powder makes him sick, so be careful how you
handle the delicate fellow."

"Well, you do not need to be told," was the hearty response of the
parson, "that no one could be more welcome than you; let's shake hands
all around again."

It was some minutes before the flurry was over, for the delight on
both sides was unbounded and the joy of the reunion great.

One member of the group lingered in the background. Her face was
flushed with delighted expectancy, but with a coyness unknown in her
earlier yea