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 you made him stake us to that development loan, why, that gal ain't got no more show against you than an icicle has in hell!"

"The trouble is, it isn't all talk," mused Wade.

"Ain't it? Well, talk goes a long way with the women, boy. I know that much, an' I ain't no Don Jewan, neither. Tell you what I'll do, Wade. I'll bet you a thousand dollars you win!"

"I'd rather not bet on this," answered the other with a smile. "But if I do win, Dave, you can sink some of that thousand in a wedding present."

"You bet I will, boy! I'll get you the biggest, high-toniest gold water-pitcher there is in Denver—or anything else the lady might prefer! There's one thing, though, you ain't considerin', boy."

"What's that?"

"Why, how do you know the lady ain't married already?"

"Married!" Wade's jaw dropped and he looked blank for a moment.