Bruce made no response and the other was not the sort to urge. So they sat a time in companionable silence until the younger man asked,
"Had you come far to-day?"
"Wolf Basin. I went over there yesterday and married old Tom Nelson's girl to a newcomer over there."
Bayard looked at him keenly. He had wanted to bring up another question, but had been unable to decide upon a device for the manipulation of the conversation. This was a fortunate opening.
"Did you hear the yarn they was tellin' 'bout old Newt Hagadorn, when they 'lected him justice of th' peace in Bumble Bee? At his first weddin' Newt got tangled up in his rope an' says,
"'Who me 'nd God has j'ined together let no man put apart!'"
Weyl threw back his head and laughed heartily. Bruce shook with mirth but watched his friend's face, and, when the clergyman had sobered again, he asked,
"How about this who-God-hath-joined-together idea anyhow, Parson? Does it always work out?"
"Not always, Bruce,"—with a shake of his head—"You should know that."
"Well, when it don't, what've you parsons got to say about it? You've hogtied 'em in th' name of all that's holy; what if it don't turn out right? They're married in th' name of God, ain't they?"