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He broke away, and went into the house. But there was an

unconquerably youthful smile dancing in his eyes. This young lady

and he had made love to each other in some such fashion ever

since she had been a year old. He was a mellow and confirmed old

bachelor, but he proposed to continue their innocent coquetry

until he was laid away, no matter which of the young bucks of the

valley had the good fortune to win her for a wife.

CHAPTER XI -- THE FAT IN THE FIRE

For two days Fraser remained in the cabin of the stockman Howard,

France making it his business to see that the place was never

left unguarded for a moment. At the end of that time the fever

had greatly abated, and he was doing so well that Doctor Lee

decided it would be better to move him to the Dillon ranch for

the convenience of all parties.