he used his fists, while Mrs. Pennycook looked coldly on, working her
lower lip and the tip of her nose, rabbit-fashion, for all the world
like one who, having anticipated a sniff of the spices of Araby, has
detected instead a shocking aroma of corned beef and cabbage.

It was a queer tableau, indeed; Donna weeping on Mr. Pennycook's
breast, when every instinct of her sex, even the vaguest acceptance of
tradition and custom, dictated that she should have wept on Mrs.
Pennycook's breast. Mrs. Pennycook realized the incongruity of the
situation and was shrewd enough to attribute it to a strong aversion to
her on the part of Donna Corblay. She resolved to make them both pay
for her humiliation--Dan, within the hour, Donna whenever the
opportunity should occur.




CHAPTER IV


When Donna and Mr. Pennycook had succeeded eventually in overcoming
their emotions, the worthy yardmaster and his wife took their
departure. Mr. Pennycook was compelled to return to work and something
told him that Donna would be happier alone than with Mrs. Pennycook;
hence he made no objection to her leaving the Hat Ranch.

They had scarcely left when the man whom Sam Singer had consulted at
the Silver Dollar saloon earlier in the day appeared from the north
angle of the adobe wall, where he had been lurking, and dodged into the
Hat Ranch enclosure. Donna was seated at the kitchen table, her face in