I Conquered""

one My

s one of those pulls which psychologists have failed to explain with any gre

end of the little depot, for he had been looking off to the north.

diminutive. The huge white angora chaps, the scarlet kerchief about his neck and against the blue of

istant horizons for decades, and had learned to look at men with that same long-range gaze. A light was in those eyes-a warm, kindly, human light-that attracted and held and created an atmosphere of stability; it seemed as though that light were tangible,

rning,"

orn

e their eyes still

little man was reading him with that penetrating gaze. The look

stirred

down when th' train quits this pla

't suppose much happe

e pallor. The little man still looked up, and as he watched Danny's weak, uncertain movements the light

his nasal voice was a

you jus

just

hung his head as he felt those s

is hot weathe

very

ly at his interrog

id you

t guessed."

men's been thought

oked down at his clothes, wrinkled,

ered, "I do look dif

k him across the stretches to Ma

harply. The call of hi

d on his high boot heels close to Danny. A curious expression softened th

he nasal quality of his voice seemed to be mel

g for s

his head back and following that range of flat tops off to the no

ew, reached for his hat

d. "To be sure, an' a

ng the spark there which meant sympathy and understanding-qualities which human bei

here for-in Colt, Colorado-to get a fresh grip!" After a moment he exten

had changed again, changed to searching, ferreting points that ran over every puff and seam and hollow in

" he answered. "It ain't e

ok his he

greed. "Let's go up

some of the misery that had

ropolis!" invited the little man, and

ad and athletic of poise in spite of the shoulders, which were not back to their full degree of squareness; th

the door of a primitive clothing establishment, looked, stepped back, and emerged once mor

urned in his saddle to look at the pair. A woman ran down the post-office steps and

e said to the little man, and

d. "They set out in there dog-gone hills an' look down badger h

ked around. His companion was standing still, lips parted, finger

ughter. The swinging doors opened, and a man lounged out. After him

street, under the white sunlight, making his feet remain where they were. They would have hurried him on, compelling him to follow t

wavered, it held his feet where they were, because it was stiffened by the dawning knowledge that his battle had only commenced;

were filmed. The other drew a hand across his mout

as they resumed their walk, "these folks ain

or more resources, more reserves to reinfor

thoughts, to divert his mind from that insistent calling. His eyes spelled out the heraldi

said abruptly.

, a flat-roofed building of rough lumber. A baby was playing in the dirt befor

ion possessing him. He stammered a mom

ittle. It isn't necessary

ooking food and the other followed him quickly, blue

now you make a bad excuse not to eat. To be sure, it ain't none of my business, but I'm old

hat precluded any hint of prying or sordid cu

bro

me. I knowed it. I ain't,

I can't

o starve,

t busy and take care of myself. I'll strike a job of some sort-anything, I don't care what it is o

looked for assurance to strengthen his feeble hopes, but hardly dared expect it. The little man looked him over gravely

n dry for a hand all day. If you'd like to take a chance workin' for me I'd be mighty glad to take

not follow. He felt distrust; he thought the kindness

to look at the loitering Danny. "Hav

red. "Do you really want me? Can I do your

d over the Wester

it's a pretty poor specimen who goes hirin' without makin' up his mind sufficient. They ain't many jobs in this

llingly the

aluting the lone individual who presided over the

rietor cried, waving a

her replied, shoving open the

e dirty wash-basin, the soap which needed a boiling ou

bad, to say nothing of having used such; but the man with

xt, son, y

ptacle in the satisfaction that came with drenching his aching head and dashing the cooling water over hi

oever he might be, Danny thought, as he remembered the name-gave t

d; "one well done an' one-" He

the bo

d an' a pie," conclu

knotted in three places. When he moved on the floor it was evident that

re that is misnamed a lighted way! The other was talking: "We'll leave soon's we're through an' make it on up th'

hort affirmative

. "You people wouldn't call it ridi

. Them as has opinions is mighty hard to teach-'

iece of bread and poked

I mean. Th' sheriff brought him. His saddle a

ed Danny. "Get

ood boy, mostly-except

t the tines of the steel fork he h