Presently Mr. Hennage paused and glanced across the blistering half-mile of desert, to where the sun glinted on the dun walls of the Hat Ranch. In the middle distance a dashing girlish figure in a blue dress was walking up the tracks. Mr. Hennage's three gold teeth flashed like heliographs. “This world is so full o' a number o' things, I'm sure we should all be as happy as kings” he quoted, and walked across to meet her. CHAPTER VII Early in the forenoon of the day following Bob McGraw's spectacular advent into San Pasqual, the nurse for whom Doc Taylor had telephoned to Bakersfield arrived at the Hat Ranch. She proved to be a kind middle-aged woman, devoted to her profession and thoroughly competent to do everything for Bob McGraw that could be done. Her arrival released Donna from the care of watching the wounded man, and she rested at last. It was late in the afternoon before she appeared again in the sick room, when she was overjoyed to learn of the change in Bob's condition. There was no further hemorrhage from the wound, although his pulse was racing at several degrees above normal. He was awake when Donna entered the room and greeted her with a weak smile of welcome. It may be that at the moment Mr. McGraw fondly hoped that he might be further rewarded with another kiss; but if so he was disappointed. Donna favored him with nothing more tangible than a rather sad, wistful, interested scrutiny, and then, satisfied that he was making his fight, she turned to leave the room, whereupon Mr. McGraw, disregarding his nurse's explicit instructions, presumed to enter into conversation. “Hello, Donna,” he whispered, “aren't you going to speak to a fellow?” Donna shook her head. “But I might die” he pleaded piteously. The nurse intervened. “Nobody's worried over that remote contingency,” she retorted, “so do not endeavor to seek sympathy.” He looked at her so tragically that she could not forbear a little laugh, as she ordered Donna to leave the room. “The right of free speech--and free assemblage,” Mr. McGraw protested hoarsely, “is guaranteed to--every American citizen--under the con--” “Silence!” commanded the nurse.