. From a sense of need he determined to pay Wid a visit. His leg was doing badly. He needed help, and knew it. He hobbled over to t

manded at length. "Oh

at the door. His eyes fell upon her hungrily. She

to get the breakfast." All she could do w

l ways to the supper of the night before-"I'm a-going to ask you to

the time, of course." In reality she was terrifi

ens for you. I just thought I'd go over and see

sked. "It seemed to me you so

last-"Mr. Gage? It sounds sort of strange to me, but

sitant. "You'll not be

ckon

of potatoes in here, so

m. I don't see how I kept ho

here together. I only wish't you wouldn't git scared about anything, and you'd sort of-believe in me, till we can shape things out someho

ou mean-ab

n't married to me, she'd raise hell sure. All women is that wa

aid. "What d

e only stepped closer to the door. "Don't you be scared to be

. What had he meant? How long could she maintain her supremacy over him, here alone in the wilderness, helpless, bli

d again he paused and leaned against the fence

te and approach him; dreaded the grin

id the oncomer. "You're out

t his bandaged le

come

forefoot when I was unhitching. Did you g

er the wounded member. "So struck you with his front hoof? That's

ems to me I'd better get to a doctor. I g

tory of his friend's appearance, his shave

fe, Sim?" he s

uds. And I want to say to you, Wid, while I'm a

e bride? That ain't very

hat I sa

t of bridegroom?" sai

lady, she's there at my house," said he, "and she's going to be le

bor's curiosity now was apparen

otted pup!" said

he country

she ever seen," replied S

this to me, come

your gate. Down there is mine. Don't none of you g

as I care to,

ied, and won't never be. It was a housekeeper I was after, and I got one, and a damn good one. But I don't want her bothered by no

, "let's cut out all this sort of thin

dam, twenty-five miles below. He's taking care of all the laborers down there-they're always

on't believe I'll go back home first. She

it your own way. It'll take just so much time anyway-if we get back by nine or ten o