pressible. Farnham realized the
impulse, and drew back, not shrinking away, but bracing for the
contest. But the engineer gripped himself in time.

"Hayes," he ejaculated hoarsely, "let the lady decide this. If she
says no, then, by God, I 'll fight you all single-handed before he ever
puts touch upon her!"

Old Bill Hicks was beside him in a single stride, his face blazing.

"I 'm damned if yer will!" he growled madly. "I 'm in on this deal,
law er no law. The whole blame thing is a bluff, an' I 'll not stan'
fer it no longer. Yer step back thar, Sam Hayes, er else Gulpin County
will be lookin' 'round fer another sheriff. I 've got plumb ter the
limit o' patience in this game."

Winston grasped the old man's uplifted arm, whirling him sharply around.

"No," he exclaimed almost wearily, "it 's not to be a fight yet;
let--let her decide between us."

She was already coming, walking alone directly across the open space
toward them. The eyes of the bewildered men were upon her, marking the
white face, rendered more noticeable by its frame of dark, uncovered
hair, the firm, womanly chin, the tightly compressed lips, the
resolute, unwavering eyes. She walked firmly, confidently forward, her
head proudly uplifted, a stately dignity about her bearing which could
not be ignored. If she perceived either Winston or Farnham in that
group she gave no sign, never halting until she stood directly before
Sam Hayes. Involuntarily, unconscious of the act, the sheriff pulled
off his hat, and stood twirling it in his hands.

"Is it indeed true," she asked, her voice thrilling with suppressed
feeling, "that you possess a warrant sworn out by Biff Farnham,
charging Mr. Winston with the abduction of his wife?"

"Yes, ma'am," and the man changed the weight of his body to the other
foot. "I 'm sorry ter say it 's true."

She lifted one hand suddenly to her forehead as though in pain.

"And you intend to serve it?"

"I have no choice, ma'am; I 'm an officer of the law."

There followed a pause, seemingly endless, the eyes of the men turned
away. She lifted her head, sweeping her gaze swiftly across the faces,
and a flush crept into the white cheeks.

"Gentlemen," her voice low and clear, but with a slight falter
occasionally yielding peculiar power to the words, "it is true I am
that man's wife." She looked directly at him, apparently oblivious of
his attempt at smiling indifference. "By the laws of God and men I a