cousin was thrust forth.

"Is my mammy hyeh?" he called hotly.

"Yep," drawled Steve.

"Well, tell her I'm hyeh to take her home!" There was no sound
from within.

"Well, she ain't goin' home," Steve drawled.

The boy went sick and speechless with fury, but before he could
get his breath Steve drawled again:

"She's goin' to live here now--we got married to-night." The boy
dropped helplessly against the gate at these astounding words and
his silence stirred Steve to kindness.

"Now, don't take it so hard, Jason. Come on in, boy, an' stay all
night."

Still the lad was silent and another face appeared at the door.

"Come on in, Jasie."

It was his mother's voice and the tone was pleading, but the boy,
with no answer, turned, and they heard his stumbling steps as he
made his way along the fence and started over the spur. Behind him
his mother began to sob and with rough kindness Steve soothed her
and closed the door.