Another six months passed, and an event occurred which gave a great shock to the little community and gave Toyner a pain of heart such as almost nothing else could have given.

Ann's father, John Markham, had a deadly dispute with a man by the name of Walker.

Walker was a comparatively new comer to the town, or he would have known better than to gamble with Markham as he did and arouse his enmity.

The feud lasted for a week, and then Markham shot his enemy with a borrowed fire-arm.
Walker was discovered wounded, and cared for, but with little hope of his recovery.

From all around the men assembled to seize Markham, but half a night had elapsed, and it was found that he had made good his escape.