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Keller found convalescence under the superintendence of Miss Sanderson one of the great pleasures of his life Her school was out for the summer and she was now at home all day He had never before found ti he had done had been in the stress of action Now heday and not too obviously watch her brave, frank youth as sheFor the first tirew better he perceived that she ithdrawing herself fro that her brother, Phil, was troubling her with flings and accusations thrown out bitterly because his boyish concern for her good naentler way to express itself

"They're saying you're in love with the fellow--and hied

"Who says it, Phil?" she asked quietly, but with fla cheeks

He smote his fist on the table "It don't matter who says it You keep away from him Let Aunt Becky nurse hiot to be nursed by one of the family, I'll do it"

He tried to keep his word, and as a result of it the wounded man had to endure his sulky presence occasionally Keller was h to be ah in the lad's opinion of him to keep always an even mood of cheerful friendliness There was a quantity of winsome camaraderie about him that won its ith Phil in spite of himself Moreover, all the boy in hiameness, the praises of which he heard on all sides

"I see you have quite made up your mind I'm a skunk," the wounded man told him amiably

"You robbed the bank at Noches and shot up three men that hadn't hurt you any," the boy retorted defiantly

"Not unless Ji into that He's your friend I don't knohy, but he is"

"And you're Brill Healy's That's why you won't tell that he was carrying your sister's knife the day I saw you and him first"

The boy flashed toward the bed startled eyes Keller was looking at him very steadily

"Who says he had Phyl's knife?"

"Hadn't he?"

"What difference does thatthat you found the knife beside the dead cow You ain't got any proof, have you?" challenged young Sanderson angrily