columbines for church decorations," she said with an answering
smile.

"Have you been building a church since I last met up with you?"

"There will be services in the schoolhouse tomorrow at three P.M.,
conducted by the Reverend Melancthon Smith. Mr. Charlton is especially
invited to attend."

"Maybe I'll be there. You can't sometimes 'most always tell. I'm
going to prove I've got nothing against religion by going with you to
help gather the pulpit decorations."

"That's very self-sacrificing of you." She flashed a look of gay
derision at him as he joined her. "Sure you can afford to waste so
much time?"

"I don't call it wasted. But since you've invited me so hearty to your
picnic, I'd like to be sure you've got grub enough in the chuck wagon
for two," he said with a glance at her saddle-bags.

"I'm not sure. Maybe you had better not come."

"Oh, I'm coming if you starve me. Say, Beulah, have you heard about
Jess Tighe?"

"What about him?"

"He had a stroke last night. Doc Spindler thinks he won't live more
than a few hours."

Beulah mused over that for a few moments without answer. She had no
liking for the man, but it is the way of youth to be shocked at the
approach of death. Yet she knew this would help to clear up the
situation. With the evil influence of Tighe removed, there would be a
chance for the park to develop along more wholesome lines. He had been
like a sinister shadow that keeps away the sunlight.

She drew a deep breath. "I don't wish him any harm. But it will be a
good thing for all of us when he can't make us more sorrow and trouble."

"He never made me any," Charlton answered.

"Didn't he?" She looked steadily across at him. "You can't tell me he
didn't plan that express robbery, for instance."

"Meaning that I was in the party that pulled it off?" he asked,
flushing.

"I know well enough you were in it--knew it all along. It's the sort
of thing you couldn't keep out of."

"How about Ned? Do you reckon he could keep out of it?" She detected
rising anger beneath his controlled voice.

"Not with you leading him on." Her eyes poured scorn on him. "And I'm
sure he would appreciate your loyalty in telling me he was in it."

"Why do you jump on me, then?" he demanded sulkily. "And I didn't say
Ned was in that hold-up--any more than I admit having been in it
myself. Are you trying to make trouble with me? Is that it?"

"I don't care whether I make trouble w