Indeed, it was becoming more and more apparent that a decided feeling

of hostility was fast developing between the respective partisans of

Moffat and McNeil. Thus far the feud merely smouldered, finding

occasional expression in sarcastic speech, and the severance of former

friendly relations, but it boded more serious trouble for the near

future. To a loyal henchman, Moffat merely condescended to remark,

glancing disdainfully at a knot of hard riders disconsolately sitting

their ponies in front of the saloon door, "We 've got them fellers

roped and tied, gents, and they simply won't be ace-high with the

ladies of this camp after our fandango is over with. We're a holdin'

the hand this game, an' it simply sweeps the board clean. That duffer

McNeil's the sickest looking duck I 've seen in a year, an' the whole

blame bunch of cow-punchers is corralled so tight there can't a steer

among 'em get a nose over the pickets."

He glanced over the waiting scene of festivities with intense

satisfaction. From bare squalor the spacious apartment had been

converted into a scene of almost gorgeous splendor. The waxed floor

was a perfect marvel of smoothness; the numerous windows had been

heavily draped in red, white, and blue hangings; festoons of the same

rich hues hung gracefully suspended from the ceiling, trembling to the

least current of air; oil lamps, upheld by almost invisible wires,

dangled in profusion; while within the far corner, occupying a slightly

raised platform later to be utilized by the orchestra, was an imposing

pulpit chair lent by the Presbyterian Church, resting upon a rug of

skins, and destined as the seat of honor for the fair guest of the

evening. Moffat surveyed all this thoughtfully, and proceeded proudly

to the hotel to don a "boiled" shirt, and in other ways prepare himself

to do honor to his exalted office. Much to the surprise of McNeil,

lounging with some cronies on the shaded porch, he nodded to him

genially, adding a hearty, "Hello there, Bill," as he passed carelessly

by.

The invited guests arrived from the sparsely settled regions round

about, not a few riding for a hundred miles over the hard trails. The

majority came early, arrayed in whatsoever apparel their limited

wardrobes could supply, but ready for any wild frolic. The men

outnumbered the gentler sex five to one, but every feminine

representative within a radius of about fifty miles, whose

respectability could possibly pass muster before the investigations of

a not too critical invitation committee, was present amid the throng,

attired in all the finery procurable, and supremely and serenely happy

in the assured consciousness that she would not lack partners whenever

the enticing music began.




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