Jud Carpenter reached the mill an hour after dark: He sought out Richard Travis and chuckled, saying nothing.
Travis was busy with his books, and when he had finished he turned and smiled at the man.
“Tell me what it is?”
“Oh, I fixed him, that's all.”
Then he laughed:
“He was sober this morning an' was in a fair way to knock our plans sky high—as to the gal, you kno'. Reformed this mornin', but you'll find him good and drunk to-night.”
“Oh,” said Travis, knitting his brows thoughtfully.
“Did you notice how much brighter, an' sech, she's been for a day or two?” asked Jud.
“I notice that she has shunned me all day”—said Travis—“as if I were poison.”
“She'll not shun you to-morrow,” laughed Jud. “She is your's—for a woman desperate is a woman lost—” and he chuckled again as he went out.