He picked up his card, turned his back and walked out, leaving his opponent trembling betwixt agitation and righteous indignation.  A few moments later Bob West came in and looked at the girl editor curiously.

“Ojoy Boglin has been here,” he said.

“The Honer’ble Ojoy, if you please,” answered Patsy, with a laugh that bordered on hysteria.

The hardware man nodded, his eyes reading her face.

“You were quite right to turn him down,” he asserted.

“It was the only thing to do,” responded the girl, wondering how he knew.

“But Boglin is a dangerous man,” resumed West.  “Look out for him.  Miss Doyle.”

“Yes; he told me to do that, and I will,” said she, more quietly.  “He is Skeelty’s partner.”

“And you’re not afraid of him?”

“Why should I be, Mr. West?”

He smiled.

“I’m justice of the peace here.  If there’s a hint of trouble from Boglin or Skeelty, come directly to me.”

“Thank you, Mr. West.  I will.”

With this he nodded cheerfully and went away.

CHAPTER XII

MOLLY SIZER’S PARTY

The people of Chazy County were very proud of the Millville Tribune, the only daily paper in that section of the state.  It was really a very good newspaper, if small in size, and related the news of the day as promptly as the great New York journals did.

Arthur Weldon had not been very enthusiastic about the paper at any time, although he humored the girls by attending in a good-natured way to the advertising, hiring some of the country folk to get subscriptions, and keeping the books.  He was a young man of considerable education who had inherited a large fortune, safely invested, and therefore had no need, through financial necessity, to interest himself in business of any sort.  He allowed the girls to print his name as editor in chief, but he did no editorial work at all, amusing himself these delightful summer days by wandering in the woods, where he collected botanical specimens, or sitting with Uncle John on the lawn, where they read together or played chess.  Both the men were glad the girls were happy in their work and enthusiastic over the success of their audacious venture.  Beth was developing decided talent as a writer of editorials and her articles were even more thoughtful and dignified than were those of Patsy.  The two girls found plenty to occupy them at the office, while Louise did the reportorial work and flitted through Millville and down to Huntingdon each day in search of small items of local interest.  She grew fond of this work, for it brought her close to the people and enabled her to study their characters and peculiarities.  Her manner of approaching the simple country folk was so gracious and winning that they freely gave her any information they possessed, and chatted with her unreservedly.