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Mr Ainsa, a very young man with the hint of a black ether and bowed deeply He expressed hihted, but did not offer to shake hands He was so stiff that Dick wanted to ask hiestible

"I ae to Mr Richard Muir Gordon," he said with another bow

"My naed its owner "You ain't , I expect"

"A ht friendly of him How's the don?"

And Dick, the sparkle ofin his eye, shook Mr Ainsa warentleer sidestepped as soon as he could, and began again, very red: "Don Manuel considers hih me, his friend, to present this note"

Dick looked at the envelope, and back at the youth who had handed it to him, after which he crowded in and puood of him, Mr 'Tain't-so"

"My name is Ainsa, at your service," corrected the New Mexican

"Beg pardon--Ainsa I expect I hadn't ought to have irrigated the don so thorough, but it's real good of him to overlook it and write me a friendly note It's uncoed his laundry so abrupt"

"If the señor will read the letter--" interrupted the envoy desperately

"Certainly But letto drink first, Mr Ain't-so"

"Ainsa"

"Ainsa, I should say A plain Aht brand on some of these blue-blooded names of yours What'll it be?"

"Thank you I am not thirsty I prefer not" With which Mr Ainsa executed another bow

"Just as you say, colonel But you'll let e your mind"

Dick indicated a chair to his visitor, and took another himself; then leisurely opened the epistle and read it After he had done so he handed it to Davis

"This is for you, too, Steve The don is awfully anxious to have you meet Mr Ainsa and have a talk with hi with your friend,' Why, it's a duel he ht up in society A duel's e-whist, Steve Ain't you honored, being invited to one You're to be ed if I do," exploded the old miner promptly