rom his arms, without a word. Roger turned back to Charley.

"I'm not coming up to the house just now," he said gruffly. "I'm afraid
to see Dick."

Elsa, hurrying up to help her friend, tears streaming down her tired,
pretty face, heard this:

"Don't try to see him, Rog, but you're not fit to go down to the camp
yet. Lie down on the cot on the porch for a little while first."

Roger who was dizzy and staggering caught Gustav's arm. The good fellow
had come panting up, uncertain what to say or do to show his sympathy
and pain.

"Just for a few minutes then," panted Roger; "I don't want to see Dick
for I'd kill him."

"No--don't vorry. I von't let you," said Gustav. "Come, lieber freund,
take the steps mit slowness."

Roger dropped on the couch and Elsa and Charley went into the living
room. Suddenly Dick shouted:

"Snake bite! On the ankle there! O God Almighty!"

Roger jumped to his feet and ran to the living-room door. Dick on an
improvised crutch was staring down at the little form on the cot. Roger
lunged for him with an oath, but Gustav caught Roger round the waist,
and Charley, who had been sitting weakly in one of the camp chairs, her
face bowed on the table, sprang forward, her eyes blazing.

"Don't you dare bring your hellish temper into this room of death, Roger
Moore!" she said. "Supposing Felicia had seen you in one of your temper
frenzies, mightn't she have run away from you just as she did from
Dick?"

Roger stood as if paralyzed. Charley turned to Dick. "Fratricide!" she
sobbed. "Murderer!" Then her voice rose hysterically. "Oh, why did I
risk that little child to your weakness? Why? I killed her by it! I
killed her!"

Elsa ran to put her arm about Charley. "Come, dear, come into the
bedroom and let me talk to you."

Roger stood motionless for a moment, staring at the bedroom door which
was closed in his face. Dick dropped into a chair with eyes closed,
sweat pouring down his forehead and chin. Gustav gave Roger a tug and
Roger allowed himself to be led back to the cot.

Here he lay for a few moments glaring up at Gustav who perched himself
watchfully on the cot edge. Then he said hoarsely: "Is that true,
Gustav, what Charley said about me?"

Gustav's honest face worked and his lips trembled. "Vell, you haf a bad
temper, and she was a frightened little thing like a rabbit at a cross
word."

Roger groaned and closed his eyes. He lay for a long time so silent that
Gustav was sure he was