ts off._

KATE. [_Quickly._] Mr. Sarber--

SARBER. Eh?

KATE. Who is hurt?

SARBER. [_Shouting._] Don't know his name--Clark stuffed the hole full
of cotton. [_Indicating neck._] Says city'll have to pay for his green
lights and lickorish.

KATE. Did Mr. Travers shoot the man?

SARBER. Yes'm--nearer than you an' me--which way'd they go?

LIZBETH. Court House.

SARBER. Been an awful hot day. [_Exit._

KATE. [_In haunted fear._] What have you heard about it?

MRS. VERNON. Why, it don't surprise me, Kate.

LIZBETH. They say Travers is the _train-robber_--

KATE. Lizbeth!

LIZBETH. Sam Fowler knew him the minute he saw him--, that's why
Travers had to shoot--to git away!

MRS. VERNON. Not Sam?

LIZBETH. No, didn't shoot Sam.

KATE. There has been some mistake--these people have never liked Mr.
Travers.

MRS. VERNON. I knowed he'd bring disgrace on the whole house,
Kate. [_Getting sun-bonnet._] I'll go in through Mrs. Clark's back
way--_she'll_ know--come, Kate, I'm your mother, and a mother never
deserts her child. [_In stage heroics._

KATE. [_Recoiling._] I don't care to go.

LIZBETH. Take me, ma.

MRS. VERNON. Come on, [_Exit with_ LIZBETH.

KATE. [_In wild-eyed panic._] Oh, how dreadful! This is what I have
felt coming all the day. It is my fault, too. If I had said 'yes' last
night, or only gone with him this morning--it couldn't have happened.
How horrible!--killed a man! They didn't tell me whom. I--I wonder
if my name was mentioned? They said--_Lizbeth_ said--_a
train-robber_--[_She leans on table for support._] That letter! Jim
thought the writing looked like his. Jim--Jim has told others his
suspicion--Yes--Jim Radburn has done it! I see! I see! Jim hated
him--they have persecuted him for _me_--Oh! oh! Why did I not go last
night?

_Enter_ TRAVERS, _pale and breathless--revolver in hand. He closes the
door behind him._

TRAVERS. Kate!

KATE. Oh!

TRAVERS. Who's there? [_Points toward shop._

KATE. No one. What is the matter? Tell me what you did--that pistol!

TRAVERS. In self-defence--they would have killed _me_ if they could.

KATE. You _shot_ him?

TRAVERS. Yes. [_As she hides her face._] Kate! Kate! I can't come in
front of the window--where can I go?

KATE. They will find you here. [_He turns, facing door with pistol,
left hand holding door shut, menacingly._] No,--not that--you wouldn't
shoot again! My father may come here!

TRAVERS. Kate! Do you believe me?

KA