with such regret that such a one should have died so miserably, that,
to the embarrassment of the mess, the tears rolled down his cheeks.
But he wiped them away with his napkin as unconcernedly as though
they were caused by the pepper-box, and said simply, "He had sporting
blood, he had. I've never felt so bad about anything as I did about
that chap. Whenever I think of him standing up there with his back to
the cathedral all shot to pieces, but giving us what for until he
died, it makes me cry. So," he added, blowing his nose vigorously, "I
won't think of it any more."

Tears are properly a woman's weapon, and when a man makes use of
them, even in spite of himself, he is taking an advantage over the
other sex which is unfair and outrageous. Lieutenant Ranson never
knew the mischief the sympathy he had shown for his enemy caused in
the heart of Mary Cahill, nor that from that moment she loved him
deeply.

The West Point graduates before they answered Ranson's ultimatum
smoked their cigarettes for some time in silence.

"Oh, there's been fighting even at Fort Crockett," said Crosby. "In
the last two years the men have been ordered out seven times, haven't
they, Miss Cahill? When the Indians got out of hand, and twice after
cowboys, and twice after the Red Rider."

"The Red Rider!" protested Ranson; "I don't see anything exciting in
rounding up one miserable horse thief."

"Only they don't round him up," returned Curtis crossly. "That's why
it's exciting. He's the best in his business. He's held up the stage