t in
desperate stage and railway robbery in the Farther West. To all this--up
to the time of his return--Harold had replied, "These chaps must earn a
living some way, I reckon." He was said to have shot down six men in
his first "scrimmage." "No one presumes to any impertinent inquiries
when 'Black Mose' rides into town."

Another enterprising newspaper youth had worked out the secret history
of "Black Mose": "He began his career of crime early; at sixteen years
of age he served in State's prison for knifing a rival back in the
States." This report enabled the Rock River Call to identify Harold
Excell with "Black Mose," to the pain and humiliation of Pastor Excell.

Harold paid very little heed to all this till his longing to see Mary
grew intolerable--even now, waiting for the Sabbath day to dawn, he did
not fully realize the black shadow which streamed from his name and his
supposititious violences. He divined enough of it to know that he must
remain unknown to others, and he registered as "M. Harding, Omaha."

He was somewhat startled to find himself without appetite, and pushing
away his tough steak and fried potatoes, he arose and returned to the
street. The problem before him required delicacy of handling, and he was
not one to assume a tactful manner. The closer he came to the meeting
the more difficult it became. He must see her without causing comment,
and without Jack's aid he saw no way of doing it. He had written to
Jack, asking him to meet him, and so he waited.

He was a perilously notable figure in spite of his neat black suit and
quiet ways. His wide hat sat upon his head with a negligence which
stopped short of swagger, and his coat revealed the splendid lines of
his muscular shoulders. He had grown to a physical manhood which had the
leopard's lithe grace and the lion's gravity. His dimpled and
clean-shaven chin was strong, and the line of his lips firm. His eyes
were steady and penetrating, giving an impression of reticence. His
hands were slender and brown, and soft in the palms as those of a girl.
The citizens marveled over him as he moved slowly through the streets,
thinking himself quite indistinguishable among the other young men in
dark suits and linen collars.

Waiting was most difficult, and to remain indoors was impossible, so he
walked steadily about the town. As he returned from the river road for
the fifth time, the bells began to ring for church, filling him with
other memories of hi