Like enough we both ought to of been shot for it." "You know it, and you said it!" "But now, Miss Squires," he went on, "we didn't ever really suppose that anybody would answer our fool letters.

We never did realize that a girl would actual be so foolish, way that one was." "Fine business, wasn't it, you men--to treat a good clean girl like that! Look at that!" Again she indicated Sim Gage, withering contempt in her tone.
"Who's going to run this place ?" she demanded.

"She can't." "I dunno," said Wid Gardner vaguely.

"You won't be going back right away, will you ?"' "Not any quicker'n God'll let me!" said Annie Squires.

Which struck poor Wid silent.
Doctor Barnes and Sim had passed to the other side of the premises, where the little group of men who had come in the day previous, and had pitched their tent in the yard, were engaged in laying up the logs of the cabin which was to be the quarters of the men stationed here.
There were a half dozen of them in all, a corporal, four privates, and a carpenter impressed from the Company forces to supervise the building.
"In a week you won't know the place, Sim," said the doctor.