But William Williams amply atoned for any taciturnity on the part of the others; he had returned a short while before from two checkered years in the West; and, a broad felt hat cinched with a carved leather hand pushed back from his brow, and waving the formidable stump of a cigar, he expiated excitedly on the pleasures of that far, liberal land. “Why,” he proclaimed, “I owe a saloon keeper in San Francisco sixty-five dollars for one round of drinks--the joint was full and it was up to me... nothing but champagne went, understand! He knows he'll get it. Why, I collared ten dollars a day overseeing sheep. I cleaned up three thousand in one little deal; it was in Butte City; it lasted nine days. But 'Frisco's the place--all the girls there are good sports, all the men spenders.” “What did you come back East for?” Alfred Craik demanded; “why didn't you stay right with it?” “I got up against it,” William grinned; “the old man wouldn't give me another stake.” The thought of the glories he had been forced to relinquish started him afresh. “I cleaned up enough in a week at billiards,” he boasted, “to keep me in Ellerton a year.” “Didn't Bert Dingley take four bits from you last night at Hinkle's?” Anthony lazily asked. “That farmer!” the other scoffed; “I had a rank cue; they are all rank at Hinkle's. I'll match him in a decent parlor for any amount.” “How much will you put up?” Meredith demanded; “I will back Bert.” “How much have you got?” William queried. “How much have you?” “If this was San Francisco I could get a hundred.” “What have you got in real coin, Bill?” Tony joined in. “Three nickles,” William Williams admitted moodily. “I've got thirty-five cents,” Thomas added. “I wish I could get a piece of change.” “How's the car?” Anthony turned to hiss partner in the lull that followed. The “car,” their sole professional charge, had been placed in their hands by an optimistic and benevolent connection of the Balls. “I had the differential apart again to-day,” Alfred responded, “but I can't find that grinding anywhere. It will have to be all torn down,” he announced with sombre enthusiasm. “You have had that dam' thing apart three times in the last four weeks, and every time you put it together it's worse,” Anthony protested; “the cylinder casing leaks, and God knows what you did to the gears.” “I wish I had a piece of change,” Thomas Meredith repeated, in a manner patently mysterious. “A temporary sacrifice of your tin shop--” Doctor Allhop suggested, tinning from the skilful moulding of the pills on a glass slab. “Not a chance! the family figurehead announced that he had taken my watch 'out' for the last time.” “He wants to plaster it on some Highschool skirt,” Alfred announced unexpectedly. “This robbing the nursery makes me ill,” William protested. “Out in Denver there are real queens with gold hair--” His period was lost in a yapping chorus from the west-wearied circle. “Take it to bed with you,” he was entreated.