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As he rode, he framed tactful sentences in which to break the news to that formidable person, and he had finally a complete and carefully prepared speech which he meant to deliver in a friendly but firht quit, or he nity with any convenient weapon, or after a savage outburst of sarcas that Wallie could not iine was a calm acquiescence It would be easier to replace Mr Hicks, however, than to acquire a new party of dudes at this late season, so Wallie nerved hiers who preferred to ride in the surrey had now increased to a number which made it necessary for them to sit in each other's laps, and it devolved upon Wallie to drive their horses Herding loose horses is sometimes a task to strain the temper, and these were that kind of horses, so that by the time the party reached the noon-day ca mood to confront Mr Hicks than when they had started

The cook was busy over the camp-fire when Wallie determined to speak and have it over

"Don't let him tree you or run you into the river" Pinkey, who knew Wallie's purpose, warned hilad it ain't me has the job of tellin' that hyena that he ain't as welcome as the President"

Wallie could not share Pinkey's amusement On the contrary, it annoyed him That was the worst of his partner nowadays, he was so happy that nothing troubled him Perhaps envy was at the bottom of this irritation; at any rate, Wallie frowned and told himself that he never would have believed that love could make such a sih the s utensils he noted that Mr Hicks' expression was particularly e amount of bile had accuic in the very way he stirred the frying potatoes, and as Wallie hesitated Hicks set his fists on his hips and recited in a voice vibrating with feeling: "Into this Universe, and why not knowing, Nor whence, like water will-nilly flowing, And out of it, as Wind along the Waste, I know not whither willy-nilly blowing"

It did not seem a propitious moment to "put Mr Hicks in his place," as Mrs Stott had phrased it, but Wallie had no desire to nerve hi of the desperate courage which co persons about to have a tooth extracted, Wallie advanced and inquired cordially: "Well, Mr Hicks, how are things co?"