s of the earth. But now I'm of the opinion that the
best man among 'em couldn't run a low down hog ranch without
disgracin' hisself."

It was not till after the ceremony was over, and before the
"sociable," which was to precede the bride and bridegroom's departure
for Will's shack up in the hills, where she was to spend a fortnight's
honeymoon before returning to Barnriff to take up again the work of
her dressmaking business, that Peter Blunt had time to think of other
things. He was not required in the ordering of the "sociable." The
women would look to that.

Before he left the Mission Room, to return to his hut to see that his
preparations were complete for Elia to take up his abode with him for
the next fortnight--he had finally obtained Eve's consent to this
arrangement--he scanned the faces of the assembled crowd closely. He
had seen nothing of Jim Thorpe during the last two months, except on
the rare occasions when the foreman of the "AZ's" had visited the
saloon. And at these times neither had mentioned Eve's wedding. Now he
was anxious to find out if Jim had been amongst the spectators at the
wedding, a matter which to his mind was of some importance. It was
impossible to ascertain from where he stood, and finally he made his
way to the bottom of the hall where the door had been opened and
people were beginning to move out. As he reached the back row benches
he bumped into the burly Gay.

"Seen Thorpe?" he inquired quickly.

Gay pointed through the door.

"Yonder," he said. "Say, let's get a drink. This dogone marryin'
racket's calc'lated to set a camel dry."

But Peter wanted Thorpe and refused the man's invitation. He was glad
Jim had come in for the wedding, and hurried out in pursuit. He caught
his man in the act of mounting his broncho.

"Say, Jim!" he exclaimed, as he hastened up.

Nor did he continue as the ranchman turned and faced him. He had never
seen quite such an expression on Jim's face before. The dark eyes were
fiercely alight, the clean-cut brows were drawn together in an
expression that might have indicated either pain or rage. His jaws
were hard set. And the pallor of his skin was plainly visible through
the rich tanning of his face.

"Well?"

The monosyllable was jerked out through clenched teeth, and had
something of defiance in it. Peter fumbled.

"I'm glad you came in," he said, a little helplessly.

The reply he received was a laugh so harsh, so bitter, that the other
wa