." She
waxed scornful, with the intolerance of her sixteen years. "Hit's
plumb ridic'lous--at his age."

"Seems like he was 'most ole enough to git sense," Plutina agreed.

"Mebby we're mistook 'bout his intentions," Alvira suggested,
hopefully. "O' course, he git's a heap of enjoyment settin' to Widder
Brown. But he hain't got to be plumb foolish, an' marry her. I guess
as how hit's fer you-all he's arter the gold kase Zeke'll be comin'
home by-'n'-bye."

Plutina shook her head dubiously. It was the custom of the lover
himself to seek, in the gold-bearing sands of the tiny mountain stream
to the west, for the grains from which to fashion a ring for his
sweetheart. Many a wife of the neighborhood wore such proudly on
forefinger or thumb. The old man was not fond enough of toil to
undertake the slow washing out of gold there unless for a selfish
sentimental reason. And her fears were confirmed that afternoon by
Zeke's mother whom she visited.

"They hain't nary chance to save him no more," the old woman averred,
lugubriously. "Hit's allus been said hyarbouts as how a feller allus
gits his gal shore, if he pans her a ring in Pleasant Valley."

"Huh--girl!" quoth Plutina.

Yet this amorous affair was of small moment just now to the
granddaughter, though she voluntarily occupied her thoughts with it.
She hoped thus to keep in the background of her mind the many fears
that threatened peace, by reason of her part in the night's work. She
knew that she could trust the secrecy of Marshal Stone, but there was
the possibility of discovery in some manner unforeseen. There was even
the chance that suspicion against her had been aroused in Ben York.
She could not bear to contemplate what must follow should her betrayal
of the still become known. It was a relief to be certain that the two
men she chiefly dreaded would be in jail, and unable personally to
wreak vengeance. It was improbable, she thought, that persons so
notorious and so detested could secure bail. But, even with them out
of the way, the case would be disastrous on account of her
grandfather's hatred of the revenue officers, and more especially, of
those among his own people guilty of the baseness of informing. Should
her deed come to his knowledge, it would mean tragedy. She dreaded the
hour when he should hear of the raid, and was glad that he had gone
away, for in all likelihood he would have the news before his return
and the first shock of it would have pas