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Joan watched and listened from her blankets, under a leafy tree,

some few yards from the camp-fire Once Kells turned to see how far

distant she was, and then, lowering his voice, he told a story The

others laughed Pearce folloith another, and he, too, took care

that Joan could not hear They grew closer for the mirth, and S Ji over it," remarked Kells

"Over what?"

Kells paused, rather embarrassed for a reply, as evidently in the

huht better left unsaid But

there was noatood-fellowship after aspell

"Why, over what drove you out here--and gave me a lucky chance at

you," replied Kells, with a constrained laugh

"Oh, youover that, except when

I drink"

"Tell us, Jih!" retorted Cleve

"No, on't unless your story's funny"

"You can gamble it wasn't funny," put in Red Pearce