Author of "Rosa Mundi," "The Bars of Iron," "The Keeper of the Door,""The Knave of Diamonds," "The Obstacle Race," "The Rocks of Valpré,""The Way of an Eagle," etc.
The Odds
Without Prejudice
Her Own Free Will
The Consolation Prize
Her Freedom
Death's Property
The Sacrifice
By Ethel M. Dell
"If he comes my way, I'll shoot him!" said Dot Burton, her blue eyesgleaming in her boyish, tanned face. "I'm not such a bad shot, am I, Jack?"
"Not so bad," said Jack, kindly. "But don't shoot at sight, or p'r'apsyou'll shoot a policeman—which might be awkward for us both!"
"As if I should be such an idiot as that!" protested Dot. "I wasn't bornyesterday, anyhow."
"No?" said Jack. "Somehow you look as if you were."
"Don't you be a donkey, Jack!" said his young sister, with an impudentsnap of the fingers under his nose. "Being ten years older than I amdoesn't qualify you for that superior pose. You're only a man, you know,after all."
"Buckskin Bill is only a man, but he's a pretty tough proposition," saidBurton, with a frown.
She smoothed the frown away with caressing fingers. "I know. That's whyI'd like to shoot him. But he's sure to be caught now, isn't he? They'vegot him in a trap. He'll never wriggle through with Fletcher Hill tooutwit him. You said yourself that with him on the job the odds were deadagainst him."
"Oh, I know. So they are. But he's such a wily devil. Well, I'd better begoing." Jack Burton arose with the deliberate movements of a heavy man."I'm sick of this business, Dot. If it weren't for you, I believe I'dchuck it all and go into business in a town."
"Oh, darling! How silly!" protested Dot. "What a good thing I came outwhen I did! Things seem to be at a rather low ebb with you. But cheer up!What's a few head of cattle when all's said and done? When once thisrascal is laid by the heels, you'll make up quicker than you know. Ofcourse you will. Don't let yourself get downhearted! What is the good?"
He smiled a little. There was something heartening in the girl's slimactivity of pose apart from her words. She looked indomitable. He pulledher to him and kissed her.
"Well, take care of yourself, Dot! You won't be frightened? You needn'tbe. He won't come your way. Hill has sworn solemnly to keep an extraguard in this direction. He may call around himself before the day isover. It wouldn't surprise me. Don't shoot him if he does! At least,give him a feed first!"
"Oh, really, Jack!" the girl protested. "I shall be cross with you beforelong. You'd better go quick before it comes on."
She put her arms around his neck and gave him a tight hug. Her sunburntface was pressed to his. "Now, you won't do anything silly?" she urgedhim, softly. "I don't like parting with you in this mood. I wish I werecoming too."
"Rubbish! Rubbish!" he s