Pagina 370 van 439

Jed was in high good humor. All along the line he seemed to be

winning. Arlie had discarded this intruder from Texas and was

showing herself very friendly to the cattleman. The suspicion of

Fraser which he had disseminated was bearing fruit; and so, more

potently, was the word the girl had dropped incautiously. He had

only to wait in order to see his rival wiped out. So that, when

Arlie put in her little plea, he felt it would not cost him

anything to affect a large generosity.

"Let him go, Jed. He is discredited. Folks are all on their guard

before him now. He can't do any harm here. Dick says he is only

waiting out his week because of your threat. Don't make trouble.

Let him sneak back home, like a whipped cur," she begged.

"I don't want any trouble with him, girl. All I ask is that he

leave the valley. Let Dick arrange that, and I'll give him a

chance."

She thanked him, with a look that said more than words.