rfully, and quite
impersonally as far as June was concerned. Then his eyes lighted up.

"My brothers don't seem to want me to join the Police Guard. Won't you
say a word for me?"

"I certainly will."

"Thank you, sir."

That "sir" no longer bothered Hale. At first he had thought it a mark
of respect to his superior age, and he was not particularly pleased, but
when he knew now that the lad was another son of the old gentleman whom
he saw riding up the valley every morning on a gray horse, with
several dogs trailing after him--he knew the word was merely a family
characteristic of old-fashioned courtesy.

"Isn't he nice, June?"

"Yes," she said.

"Have you missed me, June?"

June slid her hand into his. "I'm so glad you come back." They were
approaching the gate now.

"June, you said you weren't going to cry any more." June's head drooped.

"I know, but I jes' can't help it when I git mad," she said seriously.
"I'd bust if I didn't."

"All right," said Hale kindly.

"I've cried twice," she said.

"What were you mad about the other time?"

"I wasn't mad."

"Then why did you cry, June?"

Her dark eyes looked full at him a moment and then her long lashes hid
them.

"Cause you was so good to me."

Hale choked suddenly and patted her on the shoulder.

"Go in, now, little girl, and study. Then you must take a walk. I've got
some work to do. I'll see you at supper time."

"All right," said June. She turned at the gate to watch Hale enter the
hotel, and as she started indoors, she heard a horse coming at a gallop
and she turned again to see her cousin, Dave Tolliver, pull up in front
of the house. She ran back to the gate and then she saw that he was
swaying in his saddle.

"Hello, June!" he called thickly.

Her face grew hard and she made no answer.

"I've come over to take ye back home."

She only stared at him rebukingly, and he straightened in his saddle
with an effort at self-control--but his eyes got darker and he looked
ugly.

"D'you hear me? I've come over to take ye home."

"You oughter be ashamed o' yourself," she said hotly, and she turned to
go back into the house.

"Oh, you ain't ready now. Well, git ready an' we'll start in the
mornin'. I'll be aroun' fer ye 'bout the break o' day."

He whirled his horse with an oath--June was gone. She saw him ride
swaying down the street and she ran across to the hotel and found Hale
sitting in the office with another man. Hale saw her ente