e strangers, as though he did not exist! More
than that, Ellsworth was reticent with him; and worst of all, when he met
Constance at the table she gave him no more than a curt nod and a polite
forgetfulness of his presence.

Porter Barkley wished nothing so much as speedily to get away from the
scene of his twofold defeat, although he knew that farewell meant
dismissal. He knew also that he could restore himself to the respect of
Heart's Desire in only one way; but he did not go out on the street in
search of that way, although the Socorro stage was a full day late in its
departure, and he was obliged to remain a prisoner indoors.

Indeed, Constance and her father were little better than prisoners as
well, for no possible means of locomotion offered whereby they could get
out of town; and all Heart's Desire remained aloof from them, not even
the Littlest Girl coming across the _arroyo_ to call on Constance at the
hotel.

"I'd like to have her come over to see the twins," said Curly to his
spouse, "but I reckon like enough she's sore."

"I'd be mighty glad to have a good square talk with some woman from the
States," rejoined the Littlest Girl, hesitatingly. "I'd sort of like to
know what folks is wearin' back there now. Besides that--"

"Besides what?"

"I don't more'n half believe her and Dan Anderson is gettin' along very
well, someway."

"That so? Well, I don't see how they can, the way he throwed the spurs
into her pa the other night."

"He just worships the ground that girl walks on."

"You oughtn't to talk so much. That ain't our business--but how do you
know?"

"Well, because I _do_ know," responded the Littlest Girl, warmly. "Don't
you suppose I can see? I've talked with Dan every time he come up here
to buy a pie--talked about that girl. He buys more pies now than he used
to. I reckon I _know_."

"That may all be. Question is, how's she a-feelin' toward _him_ these
days?"

"Curly," after a little silence, "I'm going to put on my bonnet and go
over there and see that girl. She's all alone. I'll take her a pie. I
always did think she was nice."

"Well, all right. There's Bill Godfrey drivin' the stage out of his barn
now. I'll go over to the post-office and help the old man with the mail.
May ride out as far as the ranch with Bill and see if Mac has anything
special to do. There was talk of that Nogal sheep outfit gettin' in on
the lower end of our range. If they do, something'll