.

The little man waved a hand in the direction of the retreating figure.

"Wher's he goin'?" he asked.

"Guess it's 'bout the leddy," replied Arizona, shortly.

"An' he wus boosted out 'cause of her," the other said significantly.
"Kind o' minds you of one o' them terriers."

"Yup. Or a cow wi' a ca'f."

"On'y he don't make no fuss. Guess it's a terrier."

And Joe accompanied his final decision with an emphatic nod.

Meanwhile the object of their remarks had made his way to the house
and stood before the blind arbiter of his fate in the latter's little
office. The rancher was sitting at his table with his face directed
toward the window, and his red eyes staring at the glowing sunset. And
so he remained, in spite of Tresler's blunt announcement of himself.

"It is necessary for me to see you, Mr. Marbolt," he said.

And he stood waiting for his answer. It came, after some moments, in
a tone that offered no encouragement, but was more civil than he
expected.

"Since you say so, I suppose it is."

Quite indifferent and certainly undaunted, Tresler proceeded--

"You have already been informed how matters stand between your
daughter and myself."

"Yes."

"I am here, then, to formally ask your consent to our engagement."

The red eyes moved from their contemplation of the sunset, and their
dead, leech-like stare fixed itself upon the undisturbed face of the
would-be son-in-law.

"Tresler," the man said, in a manner that left little to the
imagination, "I have only one answer for you. You have become
offensive to me on this ranch, and I shall be glad if you will remove
yourself as quickly as possible. I shall refund you the money you have
paid, and your agreement can be torn up."

"Then you will not consider my proposal?"

"I have already answered you."

Tresler looked hard at the face before him. Mask-like as it was, it
yet conveyed something of the fierce temper behind it. He was glad he
saw something of it, for he felt more justified in the heat of his own
feelings. The man's words were a studied insult, and he was not one to
submit to insults from anybody.

"I emphatically refuse, then, to remove my offensive person," he
replied, with a great assumption of calmness. "Furthermore, I will not
entertain the return of my premium. I am here for three years'
instruction, already paid for. That instruction I demand. You will
understand it is not in your power to have my offensive person removed
eithe