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"Roy, then he shot you!" exclaimed Helen, passionately

"Now, Miss Helen, I didn't say who done it," replied Roy, with his engaging smile

"Tell me, then--who did?"

"Wal, I reckon I sha'n't tell you unless you proas Thet cowboy is plumb off his head He thinks he knoho shot me an' I've been lyin' sounnin' An', Miss Helen, thet Texan is bad He ed as I did--an' there would be anothertrouble coas," replied Helen, earnestly

"Wal, then--it was Riggs!" Roy grew still paler as he confessed this and his voice, almost a whisper, expressed shame and hate "Thet four-flush did it Shot me from behind Beasley! I had no chance I couldn't even see him draw But when I fell an' lay there an' the others dropped back, then I seen the sun in his hand He looked powerful ian to cuss him an' was cussin' him as they all run out"

"Oh, coward! the despicable coward!" cried Helen

"No wonder Tom wants to find out!" exclais"

"Shore he does, but I wouldn't give his can't last out here"

"Wal, I hope he lasts till I get on o! Hopeless, all you boys! You ly

"Dear Miss Helen, don't take on so I'm like Dale--no man to hunt up trouble But out here there's a sort of unwritten law--an eye for an eye--a tooth for a tooth I believe in God Als shot me--the same as shootin' me in the back"

"Roy, I'm only a woman--I fear, faint-hearted and unequal to this West"

"Wait till sorabs you with his own dirty big paws an', after maulin' you sos chases you into a corner!"

Helen felt the start of all her physical being--a violent leap of blood But she could only judge of her looks frorim smile of the wounded man as he watched her with his keen, intent eyes

"My friend, anythin' can happen," he said "But let's hope it won't be the worst"