nt, but it can't, for it has all it can do to
stand up alone, and can't very well run away."

"I see that The Orphan delivered my message, contrary to the habits of
men," remarked the sheriff's wife as she took the guest's hat and offered
him a seat. "I spoke to James about it several days ago, and asked him to
send you word when he could, for you have not been here for a long time.
And the wonderful thing about it is that he remembered to tell The Orphan."

"Thank you," he replied, seating himself. "Yes, he delivered it all
right, it was about the second thing he said. But I just couldn't get
here any sooner, Mrs. Shields. And I was just wondering if I could get
over to-night when he told me. When he said 'apricot pie' he looked sort
of sad."

"Poor boy!" she exclaimed. "You must take him one--it was a shame to send
such a message by him, poor, lonesome boy!"

"Well, he ain't so lonesome now," laughed Blake.

Helen had looked up quickly at the mention of The Orphan's name, and the
sheriff replied to her look of inquiry.

"I sent him out to punch for Blake, Helen," he said quickly. "If he has
the right spirit in him he'll get along with the Star C outfit; if he
hasn't, why, he won't get on with anybody. But I reckon Tom will bring
out all the good in him; he'll have a fair show, anyhow."

"And you never told us about it!" cried Helen reproachfully.

"Oh, I was saving it up," laughed the sheriff. "What do you think of him,
Tom?" he asked, turning to the foreman.

"Why, he's a clean-looking boy," answered Blake. "I like his looks. He
seems to be a fellow what can be depended on in a pinch, and after all
I had heard about him he sort of took me by surprise. I thought he would
be a tough-looking killer, and there he was only a overgrown, mischievous
kid. But there is a look in his eyes that says there is a limit. But he
surprised me, all right."

"You want to appreciate that, Miss Ritchie," remarked the sheriff, smiling
broadly. "Anything that takes Tom Blake by surprise must have merit of
some kind. And he is a good judge of men, too."

"I do so hope he gets on well," she replied earnestly. "He was a perfect
gentleman when he was here, and his wit was sharp, too. And out there on
that awful plain, when he stood swaying with weakness, he looked just
splendid!"

"Pure grit, pure grit!" cried the sheriff in reply. "That's why I'm
banking on him," he added, his eyes warming as he remembered. "Any fellow
who could