test heed.

"Joe Shafto bought the supplies for you, Mrs. Gray," the owner of the
store informed her after Grace had introduced herself and stated her
mission. "Joe packed the stuff home on the mules and said you'd pay for
it when you come along. That alright?"

"Perfectly so, and thank you ever so much. What is the excitement out
there?" with a nod towards the street.

"Jacks comin' in for the early work in the woods. The foremen are hirin'
'em here and sendin' 'em on to the different camps. The whole bunch is
just spoilin' for fight. Better not stir 'em up unless your crowd is
lookin' for trouble," advised the storekeeper.

"Oh, no. Nothing like that," laughed Grace Harlowe, laying the money for
their supplies on the counter. "Nothing wrong outside, is there, Hippy?"
she asked quickly as the lieutenant came in rather hurriedly.

"No. I'm after candy."

"That is fine. Buying candy for Nora and the girls," glowed Grace. "My
husband seldom thinks to bring me candy, and--"

"For Nora? No. I'm getting the candy for the bronco and the bull
pup--trying to buy my way into their good graces, as it were. Neither
one of them takes to the uproar in the street. The bronc' is threatening
to bolt, and Hindenburg has declared war on the lumberjack tribe
because one of them poked a stick in his ribs just now."

Grace, after thanking the storekeeper for his courtesy, went out
laughing, but the instant she stepped into the street she intuitively
sensed a change in the spirit of the crowd there. The jacks had fallen
silent in comparison with their previous uproarious attitude--sullen and
threatening, it seemed to her.

"What's wrong here, Elfreda?" she asked, stepping up beside Miss Briggs'
pony.

"A jack tried to pull Emma from her horse, probably out of mischief. Tom
jumped his pony over and knocked the fellow down with his fist. Three or
four others started for him. Tom rode one of them down and the others
ran into the crowd for protection. I think we are headed for trouble,"
prophesied J. Elfreda.

"Grace, where is Hippy?" called Tom Gray anxiously.

"In the store buying candy for the pup."

"Stand back, you fellows!" commanded Tom sternly as he discovered that
the jacks were crowding closer and closer to the little group of
horsewomen. "We don't mind sport so far as the men are concerned, but
you must let these young women alone. Hurry, Hippy!" he urged, as
Lieutenant Wingate appeared at the store door.

"Overland!