"So I did it, the old housekeeper following us with an armful of things and jawing the both of us--him for a fool and me for a villain. She was a strong-minded old lady, and I wish I could remember some of her talk--it was great. "We went around and got the doctor. "'Hoo!' says he. 'Is it as bad as that?' I winked at Father Slade. "'It's a plenty worse than that,' says I; 'you won't know the half of it till you get down there.' "But of course we had to tell him, and he was tickled. Funny what an interest everybody takes in these happenings. He wanted all the details. "'By Jove!' says he, 'the man whose feelings ain't the least dimmed by a broken leg--horse rolled on him, you said? Splintered it, probably--that man is one of the right sort. He'll do to tie to.' "When we reached the ranch the boys were lined up to meet us. 'Hurry along!' they called. 'Angey can't keep uncle amused all day!' "So we hustled. Kyle was for being married first, and then having his leg set, but I put my foot down flat. It had gone long enough now, and I wasn't going to have him cripping it all his life. But the doctor worked like a man who gets paid by the piece, and in less than no time we were able to call Loys in. "Wind-River Smith spoke to get to give the bride away, and we let him have it. "We'd just got settled to business when in comes Angevine, puffing like a buffalo. 'For Heaven's sakes! Ain't you finished yet?' says he; 'well, you want to be at it, for the old man ain't over two minutes behind me, coming fast. I took the distance in ten-foot steps. Just my luck! Foot slipped when I was talking to him, and I dropped a remark that made him suspicious--I wouldn't have done it for a ton of money--but it's too late now. I'll down him and hold him out there if you say so.' "Well, sir, at this old Father Slade stood right up, forgetting that foot entirely. "'Children, be ready,' says he, and he went over the line for a record. "'Hurry there!' hollers old Bob from the outside, where he was on watch; 'here comes uncle up the long coulee!' "'What are your names?' says Father Slade. They told him, both red'ning. "'Do you, Kyle, take this woman, Loys, to have and keep track of, come hell or high water, her heirs and assigns for ever?'--or such a matter--says he, all in one breath, They both said they did. "Things flew till we came to the ring. There was a hitch. We had plumb forgotten that important article. For a minute I felt stingy; then I cussed myself for a mean old long-horn, and dived into my box. "'Here, take this!' I says. 'It was my mother's!' "'Oh, Red! You mustn't part with that!' cried Loys, her eyes filling up. "'Don't waste time talking; I put through what I tackle. Hurry, please, Father.' "'Has anybody any objections to these proceedings?' says he. "'I have,' says I, 'but I won't mention 'em. Give them the verdict.' "'I pronounce you man and wife. Let us pray,' says he.