“I thought I invited you to come and see me?”

Still, Keith did not answer, but he paused.  His head was averted, and he was waiting until she ceased speaking to go on.

Suddenly, to his surprise, she bounded in front of him and squared her straight figure right before him.

“Did you hear what I said to you?” she demanded tempestuously.

“Yes.”

“Then why don’t you answer me?” Her gaze was fastened on his face.  Her cheeks were flushed, her voice was imperative, and her eyes flashed.

“Because I didn’t wish to do so,” said Keith, calmly.

Suddenly she flamed out and poured at him a torrent of vigorous oaths.  He was so taken by surprise that he forgot to do anything but wonder, and his calmness evidently daunted her.

“Don’t you know that when a lady invites you to come to see her, you have to do it?”

“I have heard that,” said Keith, beginning to look amused.

“You have?  Do you mean to say Tam not a lady?”

“Well, from your conversation, I might suppose you were a man,” said Keith, half laughing.

“I will show you that I am man enough for you.  Don’t you know I am the boss of this town, and that when I tell you to do a thing you have to obey me?”

“No; I do not know that,” said Keith.  “You may be the boss of this town, but I don’t have to obey you.”

“Well, I will show you about it, and ——­ quick, too.  See if I don’t!  I will run you out of this town, my young man.”

“Oh, I don’t think you will,” said Keith, easily.

“Yes, I will, and quick enough, too.  You look out for me.”

“Good morning,” said Keith, raising his hat.

The loudness of her tone and the vehemence of her manner had arrested several passers-by, who now stood looking on with interest.

“What’s the matter, Terpy?” asked one of them.  “What are you so peppery about?  Bank busted?”

The young woman explained the matter with more fairness than Keith would have supposed.

“Oh, he is just a fool.  Let him alone,” said the man; whilst another added:  “He’ll come around, darlin’; don’t you bother; and if he don’t, I will.”

“——­ him!  He’s got to go.  I won’t let him now.  You know when I say a thing it’s got to be, and I mean to make him know it, too,” asserted the young Amazon.  “I’ll have him driven out of town, and if there ain’t any one here that’s man enough to do it, I’ll do it myself.”  This declaration she framed with an imprecation sufficiently strong if an oath could make it so.

That evening Tim Gilsey came in to see Keith.  He looked rather grave.

“I am sorry you did not drop in, if it was for no more than to git supper,” he said.  “Terpy is a bad one to have against you.  She’s the kindest gal in the world; but she’s got a temper, and when a gal’s got a temper, she’s worse’n a fractious leader.”

“I don’t want her against me; but I’ll be hanged if I will be driven into going anywhere that I don’t want to go,” asserted Keith.