side, and folks don't say anything too pleasant about my peaceful
disposition around these settlements; I have n't any home, and mighty
few friends, and the few I have got are nothing to boast about. I
reckon there 's a cause for it all. So, considering everything, I 'm
about the poorest proposition ever was heard of to start a young
ladies' seminary. The Lord knows old Gillis was bad enough, but I 'm a
damned sight worse. Now, some woman has got to take you in hand, and I
reckon I 've found the right one."

"Goin' to get married, Bob?"

"Not this year; it's hardly become so serious as that, but I 'm going
to find you a good home here, and I 'm going to put up plenty of stuff,
so that they 'll take care of you all right and proper."

The dark eyes never wavered as they looked steadily into the gray ones,
but the chin quivered slightly.

"I reckon I 'd rather try it alone," she announced stubbornly. "Maybe
I might have stood it with you, Bob Hampton, but a woman is the limit."

Hampton in other and happier days had made something of a study of the
feminine nature, and he realized now the utter impracticability of any
attempt at driving.

"I expect it will go rather hard at first, Kid," he admitted craftily,
"but I think you might try it a while just to sort of please me."

"Who--who is she?" doubtfully.