Alvin Mead opened the jail door, and his great face took on a
forbidding scowl when he saw Madelon Hautville.

"Can't let ye in," he said, gruffly. "Ain't a visitin' day." He
would have shut the door in their faces had not Madelon made a quick
spring against it.

"I don't want to come in!" she cried. "I don't want to see him
to-day. It's this lady who wants to see him."

"Can't see nobody," said Alvin Mead, filling up the door like a surly
living wedge.

"You must let us see him," persisted Madelon. "She's Parson Fair's
daughter. She is going to marry Burr Gordon--she must see him."

Alvin Mead shook his head stubbornly. Then Dorothy spoke, thrusting
her fair face forward, and looking up at him with terrified, innocent
pleading, like a child, and yet speaking with a gentle lady's
authority. "I beg you to let me come in, only for a few moments,"
said she. "I will not make you any trouble. I will come out directly
when you bid me to."

Alvin Mead looked at her a second, then at Madelon with rough
inquiry. "Who did ye say she was?" he growled.

"Parson Fair's daughter, the lady that's going to marry Burr Gordon."

"I can't let but one of ye see him, and she can't stay more'n ten