ceased. The sun blazed out, and the sky came blue again, like those
rapid, unconvincing weather changes of the drama.

Amazement at what I saw happening in the heavens took me from things
on earth, and I was unaware of the universal fit that now seized
upon Cheyenne until I heard the high cry of Jode at my ear. His usual
punctilious bearing had forsaken him, and he shouted alike to stranger
and acquaintance: "It is no half-inch, sir! Don't you tell me"' And the
crowd would swallow him, but you could mark his vociferous course as
he went proclaiming to the world. "A failure, sir! The fellow's an
impostor, as I well knew. It's no half-inch!" Which was true.

"What have you got to say to that?" we asked Hilbrun, swarming around
him.

"If you'll just keep cool," said he--"it's only the first instalment. In
about two hours and a half I'll give you the rest."

Soon after four the dropsical clouds materialized once again above
open-mouthed Cheyenne. No school let out for an unexpected holiday, no
herd of stampeded range cattle, conducts itself more miscellaneously.
Gray, respectable men, with daughters married, leaped over fences
and sprang back, prominent legislators hopped howling up and down
door-steps, women waved handkerchiefs from windows and porches, the
chattering Jode flew from anemometer to rain-gauge, and old Judge
Burrage apostrophized Providence in his front yard, with the
postmaster's label still pinned to his back. Nobody minded the sluicing
downpour--this second instalment was much more of a thing than the
first--and Hilbrun alone kept a calm exterior--the face of the man who
lifts a heavy dumb-bell and throws an impressive glance at the audience.
Assistant Lusk was by no means thus proof against success I saw him put
a bottle back in his pocket, his face already disintegrated with a tipsy
leer. Judge Burrage, perceiving the rain-maker, came out of his gate
and proceeded toward him, extending the hand of congratulation. "Mr.
Hilbrun," said he, "I am Judge Burrage--the Honorable T. Coleman
Burrage--and I will say that I am most favorably impressed with your
shower."

"His shower!" yelped Jode, flourishing measurements.

"Why, yu' don't claim it's yourn, do yu'?" said Lin McLean, grinning.

"I tell you it's no half-inch yet, gentlemen," said Jode, ignoring the
facetious puncher.

"You're mistaken," said Hilbrun, sharply.

"It's a plumb big show, half-inch or no half-inch," said Lin.

"If he's short h