r the letter. With
the other hand she was wiping away the tears that had gathered thick
in her eyes.

"Thar's a couple more little tricks thet he sont," continued Rufe
Jimson, apparently dislocating his joints to reach the depths of his
trouser pocket, from which he drew a battered pocket book wrapped
around with an infinity of string. From the grimy folds of this
receptacle he took a small paper parcel which he placed in her hand.
It was partly unfastened, and as she opened it fully, the pent-up
tears came blindingly--for before her lay a few curling rings of soft
brown hair, and a pair of scapulars, one of which was pierced by a
tell-tale bullet hole.

"Won't you dismount?" she presently asked again, this time a little
more kindly.

"No, marm," said the Texan, jerking his hitherto patient pony by the
bridle till it performed feats of which an impartial observer could
scarcely have suspected it.

"Don't reckon I could make Colfax before dark, do you?"

"Hardly," she said, turning away, "I'm much obliged to you, Mr.
Jimson, for having taken this trouble--if the flat is on the other
side, you need only call for it."

"Wall, good day, marm--I wish you luck," he added, with a touch of
gallantry which her tears and sweet feminine presence had inspired.
Then turning, he loped his horse rapidly forward, leaning well back in
the saddle and his elbows sawing the air.

XIII

Melicent Hears the News.

It was talked about and wept about at Place-du-Bois, that Gregoire
should be dead. It seemed to them all so unbelievable. Yet, whatever
hesitancy they had in accepting the fact of his death, was perforce
removed by the convincing proof of Father O'Dowd's letter.

None could remember but sweetness and kindness of him. Even Nathan,
who had been one day felled to earth by a crowbar in Gregoire's hand,
had come himself to look at that deed as not altogether blamable in
light of the provocation that had called it forth.

Fanny remembered those bouquets which had been daily offered to her
forlornness at her arrival; and the conversations in which they had
understood each other so well. The conviction that he was gone away
beyond the possibility of knowing him further, moved her to tears.
Hosmer, too, was grieved and shocked, without being able to view the
event in the light of a calamity.

No one was left unmoved by the tidings which brought a lowering cloud
even upon the brow of Aunt Belindy, to rest there the wh