better hoist it Union down!"

Harlan dropped off his horse and strode to Niles. He seized him by the
shoulder and shook him roughly, for the man had begun his oratory once
more.

"Enough of that, Niles! Was I chosen in the caucus to-day? I want yes or
no."

"Yes--and after three-quarters of the voters had been stampeded to fight
that fire that was sweeping down on their property! And you--"

Harlan pushed him to one side, leaped upon his horse, and rode away.
The girl jumped her roan to his side.

"It's wicked, Harlan," she gasped, "wicked! I heard him! What are you
going to do?"

That was another of her questions that he found it hard to answer. "I'm
going to find my grandfather, Clare, and I'm going in a great hurry.
Come, I can't talk now, little girl!"

They galloped down the long hill to the bridge, their horses neck and
neck.

"The last ride as playmates!" she cried, as they started. Her voice
broke, pathetically. He did not reply. He was too furiously angry to
trust himself in conversation at that moment, and he rode like a madman,
knowing that she could keep pace with him.