dropped from the fence to his father's side.

John turned to him with a look of entire astonishment.

"Jude's growing up, as you say," explained Douglas heavily. "If you
aren't going to look out for her, I am."

"O, you are! And why?" demanded his father.

"Because!" replied Doug. "Jude, you get down and get started on Swift."

Astonishment, amusement, anger, pursued their way across the older man's
face. Judith put out her tongue at her brother.

"Chase yourself, Doug Spencer! You're not my boss, you bet!"

John put his foot on the hub. "Good-by, Doug; I hope you recover from
your insanity by to-night."

Douglas put an unsteady hand on his father's shoulder. "She can't go with
you, Dad!"

His father struck him roughly aside. Douglas ran around the wagon. Judith
was sitting on the edge of the rick. He reached up, pulled her into his
arms, ran her into the feed shed, turned the key in the padlock and
put the key in his pocket. As he turned, his father met him with a blow
between the eyes. Mary Spencer appeared on the doorstep, pale and
silent.

It was but the work of a moment to subdue the boy, and to unlock the