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"That is all right" Saunders extended his hand, and the other clasped it firmly

Atoward thee marshal, Alf Floyd Drake eyed him helplessly

"Let me talk to him," Saunders said, under his breath "You ride on hoet out"

"What's the trouble here?" the officer asked, arriving just as Drake rode away

Saunders laughed carelessly as he reached for the bridle of his grazing horse "It ot the best of Toet aboard He would have done it, too, if I hadn't caught hi hiht now"

"Somebody said they heard a pistol-shot," the officer said

"An accident," Saunders replied "Drake dropped it--horse jerked it from his hand I suppose wein town, and if so I' to pay the fine I'm responsible"

"There is an ordinance," the marshal said, "but I won't make a case out o' this"

"All right, Alf; thanks How goes it?"

"Oh, so-so How is it in the city?"

"Hot and dusty" Saunders et out ho"

A fewpast Drake's front gate he noticed a figure on the inside of the yard close to the fence It was Dolly She opened the gate and caround Her head was covered with a thin white shawl held beneath her chin, and her pale face showed between the folds as pure and patient as a suffering nun's He saw that she was trying to speak, but was unable to do so

"What is it, Dolly?" he faltered "I suppose your father got back?"

"Yes" It was a bare labial whisper She nodded; she put her cold hand into his great, warer one, and he held it as tenderly as if it had been a dying sparrow

"I alad I happened to reach him," he said, in an effort to relieve her ehtly "My lungs are lined with dust"