By Right of Purchase

neighbours one bitter night. The big room was as bare and comfortless as it had been in his bachelor days, though there were cases at the railroad station whose

t Prospect as they were. Leland was too proud a man to make advances which he felt would be repelled, and decided bitterly that, since nothing he could do would please her, the comforts she did not seem to care about might stay where they were until they rotted. Her own rooms, at least, were furnish

ing about the crackling stove with a box of cigars on the little table in front of them. There was nothing to drink, however, since, for several reasons, including the enactments of the legislature, strong

it is the business of the legislature, and the most they do for us is to worry us for statistics and fine us for not ploughing unnecessary fire-guards. Then there are two or three of us on this prairie

ng laughter until

it is worth while. When you begin making exceptions, it's quite hard to stop. Now, I don't want to go round with a pistol strapped on to me, and, while we stand by the law, it isn't necessary. So long

his four troopers, while, if we back up Leland, we have a tolerably extensive organisation against us, and the men who belong to it aren't going to stick at anything. If we are willing to live an

en a young man looked up languidly. He had co

he honest man won't worry so long as they don't rob him, and his neighbour can't make a fight alone. Nobody is anxious to face the first blow for the benefit of the rest, and so the rogue gets bolder, until he becomes intolerable. Then the honest man stirs himself, and the rogues go down, though it causes ever so much more trouble than it would have done if the thi

ation; and they were men who, while they did little rashly, believed in the greatness

id. "I'm going to move now. The one thing I wan

nced at the rest. "I think you

de across and meet you to-night. He should be here any minute now. In the meanwhile I want to say that I've been riding up a

who wore what had once been a very smart cavalry uniform was shown into the room. He sat d

figure, it must be Ned Johnston's gang, and they're about the hardest of the crowd.

hed as he laid his hand on Leland's shoulder. "I guess you're doing the rig

hy

Leland, I figure I mightn't have been so willing to put myself in the way of a bu

laugh. "I scarcely think marriage has made any

he man to whom he had spoken reme

y meant by that," he said

n his wife came in. It was evident that he did not notice her, and she had misgivings as she noticed the weariness in his attitude. After all, he

aw the little glow in his eyes, whic

"I hope we did n

y quiet. What were yo

at is, nothing you would pr

t. She had meant to be amiable, and she was a som

id. "Why did you not come up to me? I h

ides, I have been out in the frost since early morning, and feel a little tired and dr

raid I might point it out to you, or do you wish to make it evi

ever occurred to me. Still, you asked me another question, and, t

sed its dreariness as she saw the dry white ears on the walls quiver in the i

at you thought of me, and I think you meant every word of it. It was rather a bitter draught, but perhaps your point of view was a natura

ciliatory. It rather emphasises the distinction

our liking, you will not find me backward. Until then, I have a little too much self-respect to support y

wonder how long this exceptionally pleasant st

f you get tired of it in the meanwhile, you can alwa

ult to understand what could

gave you my reasons on another occasion. It would be rathe

dly. "You almost tempt me to tell you," she said. "Still

attitude under the circumstances was by no means astonishing. She had also exactly what she had wished for, since it was clear that he would make no embarrassing advances now; and yet her cou

nothing of Leland, when she met Gall

voted servant. At the same time, she felt the sincerity of his attachm

kind to admit anything that might distress you, but it would be a relief to me if you co

o her husband. They were then standing in the big general room; but, after she had sat down and smilingly pointed the young man to a place near her, ten minutes of jud

es he do it

essary, Charley is usually there to do it. I almost fancy he can't help it. As they say in this country, that is the kind of man he is. Still,

ld have any influence?" asked Car

d at her reproachfully. "Sure

to thank you for warning me, and I will do what I can, thoug

tion of a forty-four Marlin rifle. Then he put on his furs and girt himself with a bandolier. On reaching the outer door, he heard a swift patter of footsteps on the neighbouring stairs. As Carrie came up to him he stood still, with the blue rifle-barrel gleaming over h

ily up to him, and la

k I have asked you for anything yet. I want you to

again he put a con

know?"

knew, you could keep it from me? Still, that is

saw the blood creep slowly into his

ou believed it was the corr

arm, laid his big mittened one upon her shoulder, and,

id, and his voice sank. "Still, to be quite honest, I could scar

uld not pretend, even if her pride would have permitted her; and

indness that prompted you to try. Still, you see, I should want a good deal, and anything you didn't

u surely can't believe

h was expressive of weariness; "it was your

er shoulder. "After all, my

yours

t that can't be helped. Somehow

r hands, held it between both of his b

k figure silhouetted against the cold blu