“Keep back,” the girl ordered.

“Surely ye wouldn’t shoot, Miss?” the brute whimpered.

“Take another step forward and you’ll soon find out.”  The voice was stern and business-like.

“But I won’t harm ye.”

“No, indeed you won’t.  I’ll see to that.”

“I was only foolin’,” the wretch lied.  “I didn’t mean anything.”

“Well, I’m not fooling, and I mean what I say.  You thought in your base heart that I would be an easy victim, didn’t you?  But you now know that Glen Weston has some of her father’s spirit.  She can shoot, too, and if you doubt it, just try any more of your nonsense.”

Curly was in a trap, and when he found that this slip of a girl was more than his match he started to give vent to his rage in vile, insolent language.

“Stop that,” Glen sternly ordered.  “It is bad enough to have you here without having to listen to such language.  Stop; I say,” she again commanded, as Curly was about to continue.  “Yes, I mean it, so you needn’t doubt my word.  And you might as well put your hands together.  Hurry up; I give you two seconds.  You are not to be trusted.”

Slowly Curly obeyed, and stood before the girl, his hands clasped, and completely subdued.  A smile of victory flitted across Glen’s face, though her eyes and mouth were expressive of the deepest scorn.

“You didn’t expect this, did you?” she bantered.

“Expect what?”

“To be standing so meekly before a woman.  You imagined that she would be doing that to you.”

“You’re not a woman,” Curly growled; “you’re a she-devil.”

“Oh, so you’ve changed your opinion of me,” and Glen laughed.  “I am very glad of that, for you won’t be crazy about me any more.”

“Crazy!  Your face an’ figure would drive any man crazy.”

“Dear me, do I look as horrible as all that?  It’s a wonder you are not a raving lunatic.”

“I will if you keep me here much longer.  Let me go an’ I’ll never trouble you again.  That slick guy can have you fer all I care.  I don’t want anything to do with a woman who holds ye up at the point of a gun.”

“No, I am sure you don’t, Curly.  You prefer to prey upon women who are helpless, and who cannot lift a hand in self-defense.  But I am different, as you have found out to your cost.”

“Let me go, will ye?” the wretch pleaded.  “I’ve had enough of this.”

“Oh, have you, eh?  Well, that’s interesting.  But, look here, I am not through with you yet.  You came here without any invitation, though in a way I am glad that you did come, and I intend to keep you here for a while.”

“H’m, ye must like my company after all,” Curly sneered.  “You’re a queer one.”

“Yes, I like your company at present better than your absence,” Glen confessed.  “I know just where you are, and that you can do no mischief while you are under my charge.  If I should let you go now it would be an injustice to others.  You must settle this affair with my father, and you know what that will mean.”