"Oh, then," said Annie Squires, pulling herself together with resourcefulness, "that was your husband out in the yard, that fine-looking man! I was in such a hurry. You lucky thing! Why didn't you tell me more about him, Mary? He has such a pleasant way. I don't mind men being light complected, or even bald. He's fine!" "I think so," said Mary. "You like him?" "Why, how could any one help liking him, Sis?" demanded Annie, choking. "Of course. So this is where you live?" "Yes, this is my home," said Mary Gage. "And then you're not disappointed in him? I'm so glad! I've never seen him--my husband. You're joking about the color of his hair, of course." "You'll have to help yourself, Annie," she went on, having no reply. "I'm not of much use. I've learned a few things and I help a little. You can see about everything there is, I suppose, at one look. Isn't it nice?" "Couldn't be better," said Annie Squires, again choking back her tears. "You certain are the lucky kid. And he--he married you after he saw you was blind?" "It was a strange thing for a man to do," said Mary Gage, slowly. "Yes,--but fine." "I'm glad you've done so well. This will settle a heap of things, won't it, Mary?" "Some things." The step of Doctor Barnes was heard at the door. Mary Gage called out, asking him to come in. Some talk then followed about the domestic resources of the place, in which Annie was immediately interested. "But I've got four hens," said Mary Gage, smiling. "Well, it seems to be a right cheerful, friendly sort of place, don't it?" said Annie after a while, "where they come in and kill the cattle and horses and burn the house, and run away with people!" She was looking at the burned door jamb of Sim Gage's cabin as she spoke. Doctor Barnes had told her the story of the raid. "Who's _that_ coming in?" she remarked after a time, having caught sight through the window of an approaching figure. "That's your neighbor, Wid Gardner," said Doctor Barnes. "He's taller than some," said Annie after a time. "Gee, ain't he plain! And ain't he sunburned!" Wid Gardner himself presently approached the door, to be suddenly taken aback when he met the somewhat robust and blooming young person who had just arrived. "You've knew Mrs. Gage for some time?" he managed to say at last, to make conversation, after he also had declared himself pleased to meet the newcomer. "Lived together for years," said Annie. "Only real pal I ever had. I took care of her the best I knew how. I'm going to keep on." A certain truculence was in her tone. Wid Gardner and Annie Squires soon found themselves together and somewhat apart, for she beckoned him to meet her outside the cabin. "Say, Mister," said she to him suddenly, "tell me,--are you the man that wrote them letters to us girls? I know he never done nothing like that." She indicated Sim Gage, who stood staring vacuously at her trunk, which still stood upon the ground near the car.