"I like him better as the leader of his people. Do we breakfast with the sheriff this morning?"
"That affliction is bearing down upon us," he replied. "He is even now moving morosely across the road. I fear he is in bad temper."
"I think I will be late to breakfast in that case," she said, with a little grimace, and fled.
Curtis greeted his guest pleasantly. "Good-morning, sheriff."
"Good-morning, Major. Have you seen anything of my deputy?"
"No; has he left you?"
"I didn't miss him till this morning," replied Winters, sourly. "But he's gone, horse and all."
"Well, the loss is not serious. Come in and break an egg with me."
Jennie was distinctly less cordial than before, but she made her unwelcome guest comfortable, and asked after his health politely. She was just pouring his second cup of coffee when the furious clanging of the office bell made them all start.
Curtis looked at his watch. "Good Heavens! It can't be the eight-o'clock bell. What time have you?"