uble out in Colorado? Didn't I
point out to you several times in Colorado the graves of horse thieves
and cattle thieves whom our cowboys had shot to prevent them from
plundering our ranch? Are not murders committed right here in New York
City often, and don't you read of them in the papers? Why, there is no
place in the country where bad men don't live, and bad women, too, for
that matter; and by this time those cowboys have found out that Fred and
I, as well as Jack, are deadshots and not afraid to pull a trigger on a
bad character, so you can't say anything against that locality any more
than you can any other in the West."

"Terry, is Evelyn going back with you?" she asked.

"Yes she has said that she would, but she wants you to go, too."

"Terry, I'm afraid that mother will never consent."

"By George, Mary, she must consent," said Terry. "I'm not going to let
her destroy my happiness."

"Well, Terry, you will have to talk with her yourself."

"That's just what Fred and I came up to do, dear. Of course, we couldn't
take you against her consent until after you and I are married, and if
she won't consent to your accompanying Evelyn down there, why I'll hurry
back as soon as I can get the home ready for you, marry you and away
we'll go to just where we darn please!"

The next day Fred and Terry made a combined attack on Mrs. Hamilton
trying to gain her consent for Mary to go down and spend the fall and
winter in Texas with Evelyn, but she was firm in her refusal, saying
that Mary had spent "nearly half her time for several years away from
home, and that she was opposed to her going so far south, anyway."

Both Fred and Terry had to finally give it up in despair. Evelyn said
that she would go down with them, as she had never enjoyed herself more,
even up at New Era, than she had at Crabtree.

She said, too, that she had never met up with more refined people than
she had there. Mary, of course, cried herself sick and begged piteously
for permission to accompany Evelyn. Mrs. Hamilton, though, put up all
sorts of excuses. When she mentioned the matter of expense Evelyn said
that Mary could go as her guest, and that she need not spend one nickel
for anything.

"Besides, mother," pleaded Mary, "I have money of my own, you know, and
surely, as I am of age, I should be permitted to spend some of it just
as I please."

CHAPTER II.

TERRY OLCOTT ON DECK.

Finding all their pleadings with Mrs. Hamilton in vain,