ource of comfort to them as well as a joy to her?"
At the moment he was ready to speak, for he felt himself to be the direct
cause of all their embarrassment. But closer thought made it clear that a
hasty ceremony would only be considered a cloak to cover something
illicit. "I'll leave it to the future," he decided.

McFarlane was again called to the telephone. Landon, with characteristic
brevity, conveyed to him the fact that Mrs. Belden was at home and busily
'phoning scandalous stories about the country. "If you don't stop her
she's going to poison every ear in the valley," ended the ranger.

"You'd think they'd all know my daughter well enough not to believe
anything Mrs. Belden says," responded McFarlane, bitterly.

"All the boys are ready to do what Tony did. But nobody can stop this old
fool's mouth but you. Cliff has disappeared, and that adds to the
excitement."

"Thank the boys for me," said McFarlane, "and tell them not to fight.
Tell 'em to keep cool. It will all be cleared up soon."

As McFarlane went out to order the horses hooked up, Wayland followed him
as far as the bars. "I'm conscience-smitten over this thing, Supervisor,
for I am aware that I am the cause of all your trouble."

"Don't let that worry you," responded the older man. But he spoke with
effort. "It can't be helped. It was all unavoidable."

"The most appalling thing to me is the fact that not even your daughter's
popularity can neutralize the gossip of a woman like Mrs. Belden. My
being an outsider counts against Berrie, and I'm ready to do
anything--anything," he repeated, earnestly. "I love your daughter, Mr.
McFarlane, and I'm ready to marry her at once if you think best. She's a
noble girl, and I cannot bear to be the cause of her calumniation."

There was mist in the Supervisor's eyes as he turned them on the young
man. "I'm right glad to hear you say that, my boy." He reached out his
hand, and Wayland took it. "I knew you'd say the word when the time came.
I didn't know how strongly she felt toward you till to-day. I knew she
liked you, of course, for she said so, but I didn't know that she had
plum set her heart on you. I didn't expect her to marry a city man;
but--I like you and--well, she's the doctor! What suits her suits me.
Don't you be afraid of her not meeting all comers." He went on after a
pause, "She's never seen much of city life, but she'll hold her own
anywhere, you can gamble on that."

"She has wonderful adap