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Miss Dillon pounced eagerly upon the Gimlet Butte Avalanche, and

disappeared with it to her bedroom. She had formerly lived in

Gimlet Butte, and was still keenly interested in the gossip of

the town.

Briscoe had scored one against Arlie by meeting her father,

telling his side of the story, and returning with him to the

house. Nevertheless Arlie, after giving him the slightest nod her

duty as hostess would permit, made her frontal attack without

hesitation.

"You'll be glad to know, dad, that Mr. Fraser is our guest. He

has had rather a stormy time since we saw him last, and he has

consented to stay with us a few days till things blow over."

Dillon, very ill at ease, shook hands with the Texan, and was

understood to say that he was glad to see him.

"Then you don't look it, dad," Arlie told him, with a gleam of

vexed laughter.