girl removed and dried her clothing; but she insisted

that it was not wet enough to matter since she had been

covered by a robe in the automobile until just a moment

before she had been hurled out.

"Then, after you are warmed up," said Bridge, "you

can step into this other room while the kid and I strip

and dry our things, for there's no question but that we

are wet enough."

At the suggestion the kid started for the door. "Oh,

no," he insisted; "it isn't worth while. I am almost dry

now, and as soon as we get out on the road I'll be all

right. I--I--I like wet clothes," he ended, lamely.

Bridge looked at him questioningly; but did not urge

the matter. "Very well," he said; "you probably know

what you like; but as for me, I'm going to pull off every

rag and get good and dry."

The girl had already quitted the room and now The

Kid turned and followed her. Bridge shook his head.

"I'll bet the little beggar never was away from his

mother before in his life," he mused; "why the mere

thought of undressing in front of a strange man made

him turn red--and posing as The Oskaloosa Kid! Bless

my soul; but he's a humorist--a regular, natural born

one."

Bridge found that his clothing had dried to some ex-

tent during the night; so, after a brisk rub, he put on

the warmed garments and though some were still a trifle

damp he felt infinitely more comfortable than he had for

many hours.

Outside the house he came upon the girl and the

youth standing in the sunshine of a bright, new day.

They were talking together in a most animated man-

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