gling round her so earnest--him that no body ever
saw dangle before. And he has quit spreein' with the boys. And what does
he get by it? I am glad I was not raised good enough to appreciate the
Miss Woods of this world," he added, defiantly--"except at long range."

At the Taylors' cabin we found Miss Wood sitting with her admirer, and
Tommy from Riverside come to admire Miss Peck. The biscuit-shooter might
pass for twenty-seven, certainly. Something had agreed with her--whether
the medicine, or the mountain air, or so much masculine company;
whatever had done it, she had bloomed into brutal comeliness. Her hair
looked curlier, her figure was shapelier, her teeth shone whiter, and
her cheeks were a lusty, overbearing red. And there sat Molly Wood
talking sweetly to her big, grave Virginian; to look at them, there was
no doubt that he had been "raised good enough" to appreciate her, no
matter what had been his raising!

Lin greeted every one jauntily. "How are yu', Miss Peck? How are yu',
Tommy?" said he. "Hear the news, Tommy? Crow Injuns on the war-path."

"I declare!" said the biscuit-shooter.

The Virginian was about to say something, but his eye met Lin's, and
then he looked at Tommy. Then what he did say was, "I hadn't been goin'
to mention it to the ladies until it was right sure."

"You needn't to be afraid, Miss Peck," said Tommy. "There's lots of men
here."

"Who's afraid?" said the biscuit-shooter.

"Oh," said Lin, "maybe it's like most news we get in this country. Two
weeks stale and a lie when it was fresh."

"Of course," said Tommy.

"Hello, Tommy!" called Taylor from the lane. "Your horse has broke his
rein and run down the field."

Tommy rose in disgust and sped after the animal.

"I must be cooking supper now," said Katie, shortly.

"I'll stir for yu'," said Lin, grinning at her.

"Come along then," said she; and they departed to the adjacent kitchen.

Miss Wood's gray eyes brightened with mischief. She looked at her
Virginian, and she looked at me.

"Do you know," she said, "I used to be so afraid that when Bear Creek
wasn't new any more it might become dull!"

"Miss Peck doesn't find it dull either," said I.

Molly Wood immediately assumed a look of doubt. "But mightn't it become
just--just a little trying to have two gentlemen so very--determined,
you know?"

"Only one is determined," said the Virginian

Molly looked inquiring.

"Lin is determined Tommy shall not beat him. Tha