"With the charges against him at Junction City, I don't think this gentleman will bother you for a long time. You know the McGills don't own Junction City any more," he said, obviously wondering at the pretty up-to-date picture presented by the girl before him. The last time he saw Belle-Ann she wore moccasins, was bare-legged, and dressed in a gingham gown; but he had never forgotten her beauty. CHAPTER XXXVI BELLE-ANN'S RECANTED CREED In mutual contented silence they stood looking after the three officers leading their sullen prisoner down the mountain trail toward Boon's Ford. With the first wholesome grin that had touched his face for nearly two years, Buddy rode on toward the cabin astride Belle-Ann's splendid horse. Presently Belle-Ann looked up into the pensive face behind her. "Why didn't you kill Sap, Lem?" she probed, though its answer had been happily divined. "I hed a bead on his ear when I heered yore voice, Belle-Ann--I heered yore voice a callin' 'fo' my sake'--an' I jest couldn't do hit--then I shot th' snake's haid off." Knowing Lem as thoroughly as she did, she knew that this humane, gallant act had been to him a real sacrifice. They sat down upon the log behind which McGill had hidden. She was waiting for him to speak. With covert, abashed glance, he was regarding her handsome costume. She knew that he was puzzled and wondering at this astounding exposition of wealth. Presently he spoke up: "Yo'-all look powerful beautiful, Belle-Ann--I never 'lowed they wus sich fine things in th' worl'." Her merry, sweet laugh rippled out now as she laid a white hand on his arm and looked up into his face with a challenge in her eyes. He did not press her for an explanation. Then with a toss of her curls, she launched forth and poured her fairy-like tale into his amazed ears, all about her wondrous discovery of a lovable, priceless grandfather. Then in wretched contrast to Belle-Ann's glittering conquest below, Lem recounted his capture by the revenuer, and his tortuous measure of months in prison. He told of how he had written letter after letter to her, hoping, always hoping, hourly, daily, monthly, to hear from her. And the girl's eyes grew misty and her heart went out to him. The very recital of this experience cast a gloom over him now. Wherefore she sought to introduce a pleasanter theme and cheer him with prospects of the future. "And, Lem," she was saying, "I have ever so much money--oh!--I don't know how many thousands of dollars--all my own, grandpa says." Lem had not digested the story of her opulence as enthusiastically as Belle-Ann had anticipated. "But I hain't kilt th' revenuer yet--so--so--I 'low----"