“Why, Mary! I am surprised at you. Your father's old friend--who has had you on his knee many a time. I am shocked and surprised--and mortified and--astonished--and mortified----” “You 've done said that one once,” she said, icily. “Why, Mary, I thought we were friends--” he began. But she cut in on him. “Friends!” She spoke with contempt. “You 've had it in for Dick ever since he was a boy.” Her voice suddenly broke and the tears sprang to her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. “Why, Mary--no such thing--I assure you--Dick and I are the best of friends--_dear_ friends.” Her sniff was more forcible than words. She wiped her eyes and looked at him with freezing contempt. “I 'm a fool! And I don't want you to be _Mary_-in' me, either. If Dick chooses to let you get him drunk and make a beast and a fool of him and drag him up before the Court like a--a--like that drunkard, Jim Turkle, what don't know how to behave himself seemly in Court, and Circuit Court at that--he may; but I 'll let you know, _I'm_ not goin' to do it. I don't mean the Judge to think my husband's a thing like that. I mean to set him right. And I 'll tell him you are nothing but an old gambler who spends your time ruinin' young men, and braggin' as how you can bluff anybody.” “Mary!--ur--Mrs. Creel!” gasped the Sheriff. She stalked by him wiping her eyes, and marched straight to the door; but the Sheriff was too quick for her. His office, his reputation, everything hung on his pacifying her. He sprang to the door and, standing with his back against it, began to apologize in so humble a tone that even the angry wife could not but listen to him. He said everything that any mortal could have said, and declared that he would do anything on earth that she might ask. She reflected, and he began to hope again. When their eyes met, hers were still hard, but they were calmer. “I know you think you are making a fool of me,” she began, and then as he protested she shut him up with a sharp gesture. “Yes, you do, you think so; but you are not. There is but one thing I will accept in apology.” “What is that!” “You are to make Dick your deputy.” “But, M----” “I knew you would n't. Stand aside.” She gave a sweep of the arm. “But, Mary!” “Stand aside, I say--I 'd rather have you removed anyway.” “But, Mary, just listen----” “Stand aside, or I will call.” She straightened herself and looked past him, as if listening. “But, Mary, do be reasonable!” She opened her mouth as if to cry out. The Sheriff threw up both hands. “Mary, please--For kingdom's sake, don't! What unreasonable creatures women are!” “You 'd better let women alone. One is as much as you can manage now.” She spoke witheringly. “I give you one more chance.” “More than I can manage. You know Dick will get drunk----” “Not unless you make him. Who was drunk at that barbecue at Jones's Cross Roads last summer!” “Oh, Mary!”