e persisted in his resolve
to go, and he went.

Doctor Carpy made it a point to go. He was usually needed
professionally at Fourth of July celebrations. But on this occasion he
was, in matter of fact, a sort of sponsor for the whole affair and he
brought Sawdy, Lefever and Tenison along. The four drove out in the
smartest wagon and behind the best team in the Kitchen barn, Kitchen
with them and McAlpin driving.

By noon the big end of the crowd had arrived. The barbecue tables were
set out under the trees along the creek. The roasting itself was in
the skilled hand of John Frying Pan and before one o'clock he was ready
to serve.

Doubleday had told Kate, when arranging for the tables, that his
particular friends would sit at his table, and she was on her way down
to the creek to ask him how many there would be in the party when whom
should she find him talking with, of all men, but Laramie, who had just
ridden over from the Falling Wall.

Before Kate could retreat, her father had seen her. He called her
over. To her astonishment he insisted on introducing her to his
friend, Jim Laramie, of whom he was making as much as it was possible
to make of a wholly undemonstrative man.

The band not far away was playing full tilt. Kate wished they could
have made even more noise to hide her confusion, but there was nothing
except to face the situation, much as it surprised her. Laramie,
fortunately, seemed indisposed to say anything. He spent most of his
time listening. Kate, being far from animated, her father was left to
do the honors. And on such rare occasions as Barb was communicative,
he was quite capable of good-fellowship.

Laramie, however, seemingly under some restraint, soon made excuses and
left to join the crowd.

Some of the little ranchmen had brought their wives along. A few of
these women had their babies with them, and Kate returned to the house,
where she made the mothers comfortable. There, her father afterwards
ran across her. He stopped as he came up: "You remember that man I
introduced you to--Laramie?"

"Very well," assented Kate, wondering.

"Treat him well at dinner."

"But I'm going to eat here at the house."

He shook his head: "You eat at the creek at my table."

She had no choice but to obey. When she returned to the pits the
stones had been removed and John Frying Pan, with a pair of Sleepy Cat
ice tongs, was lifting out the first big chunks of roasted meat. The
crow