Near the upper end of the park she swung up an arroyo that led to Big Flat Top. A drawling voice stopped her. "Oh, you, Beulah Rutherford! Where away this glad mo'ning?" A loose-seated rider was lounging in the saddle on a little bluff fifty yards away. His smile reminded her of a new copper kettle shining in the sun. "To find columbines for church decorations," she said with an answering smile. "Have you been building a church since I last met up with you?" "There will be services in the schoolhouse tomorrow at three P.M., conducted by the Reverend Melancthon Smith. Mr. Charlton is especially invited to attend." "Maybe I'll be there. You can't sometimes 'most always tell. I'm going to prove I've got nothing against religion by going with you to help gather the pulpit decorations." "That's very self-sacrificing of you." She flashed a look of gay derision at him as he joined her. "Sure you can afford to waste so much time?" "I don't call it wasted. But since you've invited me so hearty to your picnic, I'd like to be sure you've got grub enough in the chuck wagon for two," he said with a glance at her saddle-bags. "I'm not sure. Maybe you had better not come." "Oh, I'm coming if you starve me. Say, Beulah, have you heard about Jess Tighe?" "What about him?" "He had a stroke last night. Doc Spindler thinks he won't live more than a few hours." Beulah mused over that for a few moments without answer. She had no liking for the man, but it is the way of youth to be shocked at the approach of death. Yet she knew this would help to clear up the situation. With the evil influence of Tighe removed, there would be a chance for the park to develop along more wholesome lines. He had been like a sinister shadow that keeps away the sunlight. She drew a deep breath. "I don't wish him any harm. But it will be a good thing for all of us when he can't make us more sorrow and trouble." "He never made me any," Charlton answered. "Didn't he?" She looked steadily across at him. "You can't tell me he didn't plan that express robbery, for instance." "Meaning that I was in the party that pulled it off?" he asked, flushing. "I know well enough you were in it--knew it all along. It's the sort of thing you couldn't keep out of." "How about Ned? Do you reckon he could keep out of it?" She detected rising anger beneath his controlled voice. "Not with you leading him on." Her eyes poured scorn on him. "And I'm sure he would appreciate your loyalty in telling me he was in it." "Why do you jump on me, then?" he demanded sulkily. "And I didn't say Ned was in that hold-up--any more than I admit having been in it myself. Are you trying to make trouble with me? Is that it?" "I don't care whether I make trouble with you or not. I'm not going to pretend and make-believe, if that's what you want. I don't have to do it." "I see you don't," he retorted bluntly. "I suppose you don't have to mind your own business either."