BOLLINGER. [_His irritation returning. Threateningly._] And don't you dare to draw a gun on any of us. Say, Sarber--go down to the Court House and git a warrant. If you had a warrant we could walk right in. MRS. VERNON. [_Off._] Now, Kate, be careful. _Enter_ KATE _and_ MRS. VERNON _over the stile--the_ MOB _parting to admit them._ KATE. What is the matter? Jim! JIM. Won't you come in? Howdy, Mrs. Vernon? KATE _and_ MRS. VERNON _come on._ KATE. [_Anxiously. To_ JIM.] What do these men want? [_To_ BOLLINGER.] What is the trouble here? BOLLINGER. [_Pointing at_ JIM.] Malfeasance. KATE. What? BOLLINGER. Why, Miss Kate, he gave his horse to a man he ought to have arrested--a train-robber--a murderer--and-- JIM. Hold on, Bollinger--man's dead, and he used to be a friend to these ladies. KATE. [_Crosses to the_ MEN.] No--do not speak of him--we thought he was a friend--but why do you accuse Mr. Radburn? JIM. No use talkin', Kate, they know. BOLLINGER. You bet. JIM. Lizbeth's inside--you an' Kate better go in, Mrs. Vernon. KATE. No. Do you blame this man? BOLLINGER. Blame him! Why, he's an accessory after the fact, and maybe before--I don't see how he can git out of it! Here's his telegram, really better than a plea of guilty--we ought to arrest him! KATE. [_To_ BOLLINGER.] He is not guilty. [_To_ JIM.] Oh, Jim, Jim! Can you forgive me? [_She extends her hand._ JIM. [_Taking her hand._] Why, Kate, 'tain't none o' their business. KATE. No, it is all mine. [_Murmur from_ CROWD.--_To the_ MEN.] Listen; all of you must know that Mr. Travers was attentive to me--I believed he was a gentleman--we thought he was a friend--[_Half crying._] but he never was half the friend--never _could_ be half the friend that Jim Radburn's been-- JIM. [_Expostulating._] Kate! KATE. [_To_ JIM.] Yes, I know all about it now--my father has told me all--everything about my college days--I am humiliated to the dust. JIM. Now, Kate-- KATE. You should have told me in the shop, when I presumed to speak of your disadvantages. JIM. [_To_ MEN.] See here--this is a little matter between me and Kate Vernon--none of your business--so why don't you saunter off? [MEN _start to go._ KATE. [_To the_ MEN.] No, I want them to stay. I have nothing to say of Mr. Travers' doings--we were mistaken--but Jim Radburn thought I cared for the man, and he was big enough to let him escape for _me_--I am the one at fault--he has almost given up his life to me. You, Col. Bollinger, and every one knows that he could win his nomination if he wanted to--[_Turning to_ JIM.]--But he gave that up, too, because Joe Vernon, my father, wants it. Oh, Jim! Jim! [_Sinks on steps, sobbing._ MRS. VERNON. [_Crosses to her._] There, Kate, I knowed it would be too much fur you. [_To_ JIM.] She's took on this way since daylight. JIM. Say, you fellers ain't got spunk enough to keep hoss flies off a you. What do you want? Cold victuals?