worth while to tie the old crow-bait. If you'll just watch him--or
her--for a minute I'll be greatly obliged, and--"

"Watch your own horse," roared the marshal thunderously.

"Don't get huffy," cried the young man cheerily. "It will be worth a
quarter to you."

"Do you know who I am?" demanded Anderson Crow, purple to the roots of
his goatee.

"Yes, sir; I know perfectly well, but I refuse to give it away. Here,
take the bit, old chap, and hold Dobbin for about a minute and half,"
went on the stranger ruthlessly; and before Anderson Crow knew what had
happened he was actually holding the panting nag by the bit. The young
man went up the steps three at a time, almost upsetting Uncle Gideon
Luce, who had not been so spry as the others in clearing the way for
him. The crowd had ample time in which to study the face, apparel and
manner of this energetic young man.

That he was from the city, good-looking and well dressed, there was no
doubt. He was tall and his face was beardless; that much could be seen
at a glance. Somehow, he seemed to be laughing all the time--a fact that
was afterward recalled with some surprise and no little horror. At the
time, the loungers thought his smile was a merry one, but afterward they
stoutly maintained there was downright villainy in the leer. His coat
was very dusty, proving that he had driven far and swiftly. Three or
four of the loungers followed him into the store. He was standing before
the counter over which Mr. Lamson served his soda-water. In one hand he
held an envelope and in the other his straw hat. George Ray, more