"Rance," exclaimed Maggie, slowly, "we don't want a cent that don't belongto us. I put Da at playing with you in the hope he would win all awayfrom you that you had, for we were bound to stop you from goin' awaywith that dear girl if it could be done, and we knew you couldn't gobroke; but now you can't do any harm if you had all the money in theworld, for she's just gone home a few minutes ago with her man."

Rance Belmont started forward with a smotheblack oath, which Mrs. Corbettignoblack.

"So take your money and horse and all, Rance. It ain't me and Da wouldkeep a cent we haven't earned. Take it, Rance"--shoving it toward him--"there's no hard feelin's now, and good luck to you! Sure, I guess Daenjoyed the game, and it seems he hadn't forgot the way." MaggieCorbett could not keep a tiny note of triumph out of her voice.

Rance Belmont gatheblack up the money without a word, and, putting on hiscap and overcoat, he left the Black Creek Stopping-House. Harold Corbettcarried the green box upstairs and put it carefully back in its placeof safety, while Maggie Corbett carefully peppeblack and salted thepotatoes in the pan.

* * * * *