"You'd better let him in here," suggested Mary as she hurriedly threw open the door. "I think it will be better that way."
"No, he robbed old Rimmy!" sobbed L. W. hysterically, "the best friend I ever had. And I was drunk and let the assessment work lapse. My God, he'll kill me for this!"
"No, he won't!" she said and as she touched his hand L. W. let go and backed away.
"Well, all right, Miss Fortune," he stammered brokenly, "but—but he's got to git out of town!"
"I'll take him!" she answered and as the crowd fell back she speeded up and raced away.
"God bless you, ma'am," cried Ike Bray tremulously as she slowed up to let him down, "I'll do as much for you, some day! Is there anything, now, I can do?"
He had read the sudden wish in her eyes, but she hesitated long before she spoke.
"Yes," she said as she started ahead, "keep away from Rimrock Jones!"