Denver is looked upon by the average Easterner almost in the light of a frontier city, away out in the Rockies, surrounded by awe-inspiring scenery, no doubt, but also by grizzly bears and ferocious Indians.

For a number of days, even after the enjoyment of novelty had worn off, the Easterner returned bravely to Spanish Gulch every afternoon for the mail.

"While I was hunting claims this afternoon," said the Easterner suddenly, "I ran across a mighty pretty girl.

Even the Easterner might have been puzzled to account for the crowded condition of the Straight Flush at ten in the morning, if his attention had not been quite fully occupied in posing before himself as the man of business.

"I'd like to know what this means?" broke out the Easterner angrily.

Then at the end of what seemed to the Easterner a full minute the masked figure in front spoke.

" In another moment the Easterner, his arms securely pinioned, stood as before.

" The Easterner peeled potatoes under constant laughing amendment as to method.

That individual was as much of a persecution as ever, and he seemed to enjoy a greater intimacy with the girl than did the Easterner.

A good claim I should judge, from the sample, and so I wrote Davidson." "When was this?" asked the Easterner, puzzled.

" "Manners?" queried the Easterner, smiling up to the girl.

"I've an idea," said the Easterner calmly, "that I owe my life to you, Mr. Nash.

He set himself calmly to the problem; on the horn of his saddle the lariat hung loose; if the Easterner should turn his back for a single instant during all the time they were together old Drew should not be disappointed, and one thousand cash would be deposited for the mutual interest of Sally Fortune and himself.

" "I wonder?" mused the Easterner.

Above all he was conscious of the Easterner's superiority of language, which might turn the balance against him in the ear of Sally Fortune.

" The cowpuncher was aware that the other stirrednot much, but as if he winced from a drop of cold water; he felt that he was close on the trail of the real reason why the Easterner wished to see Drew.

When he saw Bard scramble up the opposite bank he knew that his game was lost and all the tables reversed, for the Easterner was a full two hours closer to the home of Drew than he was, with the necessary detour up to the ford.

The Easterner might be delayed by the unknown country for a time, but not very long.

" "Quite a change from their lazy roving life," suggested the Easterner.

" "Two-bits is twenty-five cents," I interpreted, seeing the Easterner's mystified look.

" "The El Dorado?" questioned the Easterner.

The Easterner turned to me.

The other, a well-built, smooth-faced Easterner with a white skin and delicate hands, was opposite.

An Easterner sojourning with Bud for a season, had taught him to play two tunes"Annie Laurie" and "Dixie."

If you are an Easterner you would abandon your proposed picnic party, upon rising in the morning, for fear of rain, and, being a tenderfoot, you would be justified, for the cloudsor, more properly speaking, the high foggive every indication of a shower.