CHAPTER VII
THE POST-OFFICE CONFERENCE
"Ride with your finger on the trigger but smile before you shoot'"
—Sheriff Frank Day.
DOUGLAS had no luck at all on his mule hunt. And as if to add to his discomfort, while climbing down the trail from the cemetery, he saw Judith on Buster, accompanied by the leaping Wolf Cub, overtake Scott Parsons and saw them race toward the post-office. Twilight came on, with the mud of the trail stiffening in the frosty air. An overpowering sense of loneliness urged Douglas across the valley and brought him to pause beside the Rodman corral. He dismounted at the buck fence and stood for a moment in the shadow of the Moose, wondering why he had stopped here. He had stood thus but a few moments when two riders came up the trail. They trotted into the door-yard.
"I don't think I want to dance, after all, Scott," said Judith's voice.
"What harm is there in it?" demanded Scott.
"I make it a point never to go in here except when Inez is alone."
"I suppose you're afraid to meet Doug!" exclaimed Scott. "He's here half the time."
Douglas leaped over the fence, rushed to Scott's side and struck him twice.
"That's a lie! Get down and fight with your fists,
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