ant, leading Dave, rejoined Louise Graham, a flush of
embarrassment dyed his face. She had sprung up at Menocal's blow
knocking the boy over and remained standing, an indignant observer of
the scene. When Menocal had departed, the engineer recalled suddenly
what Ruth had said concerning Charlie and Louise Graham being
practically engaged; and as he now saw her rigid figure and displeased
countenance, he imagined he had lost her friendship. Still, he could
not have acted otherwise.

"I'm very sorry for this occurrence, Miss Graham," he said,
contritely. "Especially as I understand Charlie Menocal is very high
in your esteem."

"Who dares say that!"

"Well, Charlie himself is the authority, I believe," Lee responded,
with a slight smile.

Her eyes flashed at that.

"Well, it's not the case; and if it had been, this exhibition of bad
manners and bad nature on his part would have changed it. Father and I
consider him--well, a nuisance. There, I'm giving you a confidence.
We've tolerated him because Mr. Menocal senior is a gentleman, and a
friend. Now I hope you'll not think me too talkative, but an
explanation was necessary; and as far as Charlie Menocal is concerned,
I'd be pleased if I never saw his face again. To knock your young
friend over so heartlessly! You treated him with altogether too much
leniency, Mr. Bryant."

"I never do my fighting in the presence of ladies," Lee remarked, with
a grin. "In fact, I try to confine my combats to those of wits."

She nodded.

"Of course," said she; and continued, "this is the second time he has
acted disgracefully to you when I've been by. The first occasion was
at Perro Creek ford. I could have sunk into the earth for shame of him
when he knew no better than to fling you money after you had filled
his radiator; it was pure insolence, to begin with, to ask you to do
it when he should have attended to the matter himself. I admired your
conduct and self-control under the circumstances, Mr. Bryant." And
addressing Dave, she asked, "Will you drink another glass of
buttermilk if I pour it?"

Dave could and did, an example Lee followed. The subject of Menocal
was dismissed, and the man and the girl fell into a conversation of
general matters. She assured the engineer, when he inquired, that he
was not detaining her from household affairs; and urged him, on
learning of his prospective absence, to leave Dick at Diamond Creek
and he himself to proceed to Kennard by stage. Sh