udge, hiding his disappointment, and with
Mahaffy he quitted the bar.

"Why don't you marry the old girl? You could drink yourself to death in
six months," said Mahaffy. "That would be a speculation worth while--and
while you live you could fondle those curls!"

"Maybe I'll be forced to it yet," responded the judge with gloomy
pessimism.

With the filling of Mahaffy's flask the important event of the day
was past, and both knew it was likely to retain its preeminence for a
terrible and indefinite period; a thought that enriched their thirst
as it increased their gravity while they were traversing the stretch of
dusty road that lay between the cavern and the judge's shanty. When they
had settled themselves in their chairs before the door, Mahaffy, who was
notably jealous of his privileges, drew the cork from the flask and
took the first pull at its contents. The judge counted the swallows
as registered by that useful portion of Mahaffy's anatomy known as his
Adam's apple. After a breathless interval, Mahaffy detached himself
from the flask and civilly passing the cuff of his coat about its neck,
handed it over to the judge. In the unbroken silence that succeeded the
flask passed swiftly from hand to hand, at length Mahaffy held it up to
the light. It was two-thirds empty, and a sigh stole from between his
thin lips. The judge reached out a tremulous hand. He was only too
familiar with his friend's distressing peculiarities.

"Not yet!" he begged thickly.

"Why not?" demanded Mahaffy fiercely. "Is it your liquor or mine?" He
quitted his chair end stalked to the well where he filled the flask with
water. Infinitely disgusted, the judge watched the sacrilege. Mahaffy
resumed his chair and again the flask went its rounds.

"It ain't so bad," said the judge after a time, but with a noticeable
lack of enthusiasm.

"Were you in shape to put anything better than water into it, Mr.
Price?" The judge winced. He always winced at that "Mr."

"Well, I wouldn't serve myself such a trick as that," he said with
decision. "When I take liquor, it's one thing; and when I want water,
it's another."

"It is, indeed," agreed Mahaffy.

"I drink as much clear water as is good for a man of my constitution,"
said the judge combatively. "My talents are wasted here," he resumed,
after a little pause. "I've brought them the blessings of the law, but
what does it signify!"

"Why did you ever come here?" Mahaffy spoke sharply.

"I migh