would be acquitted
of the pending charge.

To this she expected by way of answer a long letter of apology,
explanation, and protestations of undying love.

She received, instead, a brief note containing a cold acknowledgment
of her letter, thanking her for her interest in his welfare, and
assuring her that he would respect Miss Laura's confidence. There was
no note of love or reproachfulness--mere cold courtesy.

Graciella was cut to the quick, so much so that she did not even
notice Ben's mistakes in spelling. It would have been better had he
overwhelmed her with reproaches--it would have shown at least that he
still loved her. She cried bitterly, and lay awake very late that
night, wondering what else she could do for Ben that a self-respecting
young lady might. For the first time, she was more concerned about Ben
than about herself. If by marrying him immediately she could have
saved him from danger and disgrace she would have done so without one
selfish thought--unless it were selfish to save one whom she loved.

* * * * *

The preliminary hearing in the case of the State _vs._ Benjamin Dudley
was held as soon as Doctor Price pronounced Barclay Fetters out of
danger. The proceedings took place before Squire Reddick, the same
justice from whom the colonel had bought Peter's services, and from
whom he had vainly sought to secure Bud Johnson's release.

In spite of Dudley's curt refusal of his assistance, the colonel, to
whom Miss Laura had conveyed a hint of the young man's frame of mind,
had instructed Caxton to spare no trouble or expense in the prisoner's
interest. There was little doubt, considering Fetters's influence and
vindictiveness, that Dudley would be remanded, though the evidence
against him was purely circumstantial; but it was important that the
evidence should be carefully scrutinised, and every legal safeguard
put to use.

The case looked bad for the prisoner. Barclay Fetters was not present,
nor did the prosecution need him; his testimony could only have been
cumulative.

Turner described the circumstances of the shooting from the trees by
the roadside near Mink Run, and the driving of the wounded man to
Doctor Price's.

Doctor Price swore to the nature of the wound, its present and
probable consequences, which involved the loss of one eye and perhaps
the other, and produced the shot he had extracted.

McRae testified that he and Barclay Fetters had gone do