re open, but she seemed powerless to speak. A loud thump startled

Mrs. Floyd swooped down on him in a tremor, and gathering him in her arms, went all over his

y own precious darling! Lafe, get the witch-hazel! Quick! No, no! In th

a red spot on the baby's forehead. Sally sat in a chair, rocking back and forward, with her lips against her child's neck and her arms holding him close. Little Tom clutched her tightly and gradually his c

ring into the blackness, when she came out. He thr

k, Sally, will you?" h

ce, she cried: "Oh, La

th hands without hesitation, and they stood smiling at each other in comradely fashio

over old times. Do you remember, Lafe, the grass

ain't true. You done put a lizard

clatter of hoofs broke in on

that? Wh

, who disappeared toward the corrals at a gallop. The boss was spattered with mud, and wringing wet and dog-weary. A

s wife ra

e said. "I

're a sight. Don't let the rain d

idge, Floyd?"

e river." Then he chuckled grimly. "Miguel, he was plumb

o a chair and remove

ou'd get back to-n

would, d

m mantel, suddenly bethought himself and went to his r

keep the

" Sally cried; the name fitted the boss as happily as Fid

atures. He got up and went into the dining-room to pour some water into his drink. Before he drained it

he said brusque

said the chee

g his custom to bring his mouth down to his fork, instead of his fork up to his mouth-and surveyed the scen

said the boss, with a sigh of satisfacti

e, who was sometimes