Odd that he hadn't answered it.

Of course, he knew about this meanness--could he, too, have dared to suspect her! The thought turned her crimson again.

He, Stanton Green, was an old "Laurel Runner," a friend of John's, a little "triflin'" and "presoomin'," but still an old loyal pioneer of the camp! "Why hadn't he spoke up ?" There was the soft, muffled fall of a horse's hoof in the thick dust of the highway, the jingle of dismounting spurs, and a firm tread on the platform.

No doubt one of the boys returning for a few supplemental remarks under the feeble pretense of forgotten stamps.

It had been done before, and she had resented it as "cayotin' round;" but now she was eager to pour out her wrongs to the first comer.