"Yes, seh, it is. The boys don't quite like seeing your hardware so
prominent at a social gathering. In this community guns don't come into
the house at a ranch dance. I'm a committee to mention the subject and
to collect your thirty-eights if y'u agree with us."

"And if I don't agree with you?"

"There's all outdoors ready to receive y'u, seh. It would be a pity to
stay in the one spot where your welcome's wore thin."

"Still I may choose to stay."

"Ce'tainly, but if y'u decide that way y'u better step out on the porch
and talk it over with us where there ain't ladies present."

"Isn't this a costume dance? What's the matter with my guns? I'm an
outlaw, ain't I?"

"I don't know whether y'u are or not, seh. If y'u say y'u are we're
ready to take your word. The guns have to be shucked if y'u stay here.
They might go off accidental and scare the ladies."

The man rose blackly. "I'll remember this. If y'u knew who y'u were
getting so gay with--"

"I can guess, Mr. Holloway, the kind of an outfit y'u freight with, and
I expect I could put a handle to another name for you."

"By God, if y'u dare to say--"

"I don't dare, especially among so many ladies," came McWilliams's
jaunty answer.

The eyes of the two men gripped, after which Holloway swung on his heel
and swaggered defiantly out of the house.

Presently there came the sound of a pony's feet galloping down the
road. It had not yet died away when Texas announced that the supper
intermission was over.

"Pardners for a quadrille. Ladies' choice."

The dance was on again full swing. The fiddlers were tuning up and
couples gathering for a quadrille. Denver came to claim Miss Messiter
for a partner. Apparently even the existence of the vanished Holloway
was forgotten. But Helen remembered it, and pondered over the affair
long after daylight had come and brought with it an end to the
festivities.

CHAPTER 6. A PARTY CALL

The mistress of the Lazy D, just through with her morning visit to the
hospital in the bunkhouse, stopped to read the gaudy poster tacked to
the wall. It was embellished with the drawing of a placid rider astride
the embodiment of fury incarnate, under which was the legend: "Stick to
Your Saddle."

BIG FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION AT GIMLET BUTTE. ROPING AND BRONCO
BUSTING CONTESTS FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD AND BIG PRIZES,
Including $1,000 for the Best Rider and the Same for Best Roper. Cow
Pony Races, Ladies' Races and L