"That Deacon Miller is mistaken. I did not shoot his cow."
"I reckon you'll have to pay for it all the same. Mark Manning. I don't want to be hard on a poor widder, but it stands to reason that I should be paid for my cow."
"I agree to that," said Mark, "but I'm not the one."
"Mebbe the cow shot herself!" said the deacon, sarcastically. "It may be nat'ral for cows to commit suicide, but I never saw one do it as far as I can remember. Young man, your story is too thin."
CHAPTER VIII.
DEACON MILLER GETS A CLUE.
Mark was forced to smile at the idea of old Whitey committing suicide. The deacon observed his smile, and it provoked him.
"Do you mean to say, Mark Manning, that you think the critter shot herself in the face?" he demanded, sharply.
"No, Deacon Miller, I have no such idea."
"That's the same as admittin' that you shot her," said the deacon, triumphantly.