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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78752 ***
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE FINDING
+
+OF
+
+_JASPER HOLT_
+
+
+By
+
+Grace Livingston Hill
+
+
+
+_GROSSET & DUNLAP * PUBLISHERS_
+
+_NEW YORK_
+
+
+
+
+  COPYRIGHT, 1915, BY MCBRIDE, NAST & CO.
+  COPYRIGHT, 1916, BY J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
+
+
+  PRINTED IN THE U. S. A.
+
+
+
+
+THE FINDING OF JASPER HOLT
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+Slowly the train rumbled out of the station, gathering speed with
+every moment, and leaving behind the friendly faces on the platform.
+
+The girl who had just entered the car looked about her in dismay at
+the rough looking crowd by whom she was surrounded.  It was the last
+long stretch of her journey now, out on the plains and across the
+desert, and the porter of the sleeper had refused to let her enter
+the Pullman coach without a Pullman ticket.  Of course it would be
+all right when the conductor came, but--suppose her brother-in-law
+had forgotten to telegraph for the reservation and she should have to
+spend the night in this car?
+
+She slipped into the only vacant seat and sat anxiously awaiting the
+coming of the conductor, who was not anywhere in sight.
+
+For the most part the people about her were rough, stolid looking
+men, with hard brown faces.  Here and there a woman was huddled
+wearily into a corner of the seat trying to sleep.  They were
+commonplace folk, nearly all of them, and their very ordinariness
+brought her some measure of assurance, yet she shuddered at the
+thought of spending her night huddled into a seat, like the other
+women, with all those men about, free to gaze on her as she slept.
+
+She glanced across the aisle where the seat was turned over and two
+men faced each other, an old man and a young one.  The old man sat
+just across from her, his coarse stubbly face turned boldly toward
+her.  He had crafty little eyes that intruded with their merest
+glance, windows out of which Coarseness, Hate, Cruelty and Fear alike
+might look; a sensual loose-hung mouth, and a whole repulsive
+atmosphere of cunning that made his face seem utterly evil.
+Insensibly she shrank farther away and looked hurriedly about to see
+if perchance there might not after all be another vacant seat where
+she could be entirely out of his range.  Then her eyes suddenly met
+the eyes of his companion who faced her, the young man in the
+turned-over seat, and she wondered how she could have failed to
+notice him at once.  There was something about his face--perhaps it
+was the splendid gray eyes that were looking at her so keenly and
+respectfully, or was it the firm chin and almost stern set of the
+beautiful lines of lip and brow--that gave her confidence in him at
+once.  For there was a strength and beauty in his face such as one
+seldom sees blended in a man, which marked him at once as being
+different from others.  There was nothing weak nor womanish about
+him, in spite of the perfect modelling of his features and the clear
+coloring of his skin.  The fine golden-brown hair that rippled back
+from his forehead like a halo gave the impression of curling out of
+perverseness rather than from the owner's wish.
+
+He was tall and lean and wiry, yet giving the idea of great strength
+and fine training.  If it had not been for an abnormal gravity and
+the sternness about his mouth she would have judged him to be a mere
+boy, yet there was an air of maturity about him that puzzled her.
+But his gray eyes met hers kindly, understandingly, as if he knew
+exactly what she was thinking--all her anxiety--and would let her
+know that she was safe, that he would see that she was safe!  It was
+with an almost startled feeling that she met his eyes a second time
+as if to be sure she had not been mistaken, and then settled back
+into her seat, somehow comforted, assured; as if he had spoken to her
+and told her not to fear.  It was really as if something had looked
+out of their two souls and acknowledged a sort of mute introduction.
+And yet he had not been obtrusive, and almost immediately his eyes
+had been withdrawn from her face as if he would not intrude.  He was
+looking now at the dreadful old man, rebuking him for his interest in
+her it would seem, rebuking most effectually yet without a word, for
+the old man wriggled around uneasily in his seat and turned his eyes
+away to look out of the window, the hate in his face getting the
+uppermost as he cast a furtive, fearsome glance at the younger man
+and then turned back to the window.
+
+They were a curious pair; the younger man had the air of being the
+keeper of the older one.  The girl wondered how they came to be
+travelling together, they seemed so absolutely alien to each other.
+It was obvious that the young man had some power over the other, and
+this fact gave the girl comfort.
+
+To these two men the entrance of the lovely girl into the monotony of
+the journey was a refreshment.  Even the old man, Scathlin, whose low
+type of life received only fleshly impressions, and who had grown up
+from his tainted babyhood without honor for any woman, felt the
+fineness of her nature, the rareness of her modest beauty as she came
+near.
+
+To Jasper Holt she was the sudden startling revelation of some pure
+dream of his childhood, the reality of which he had come to doubt.
+His knowledge of the world told him that probably she was frail and
+human and selfish like all the rest if one came to know her, but for
+the sake of what she seemed to be he was glad of the vision, and
+would protect her at all costs because she was a woman and ought to
+have been perfect.  That was his attitude toward the world of women
+at that time.
+
+Nevertheless as he looked again at the pure profile turned now toward
+her window, and studied the sweet outline of the firm little chin,
+pleasant lips, the gentle contour of cheek and lash and brow, the
+luminous eyes that were glowing for the moment at the stain of sunset
+beginning to trickle through the gloomy gray of the sky, he could not
+but feel that here was something different.  It was something for
+which he had been hoping all his life--searching for, but never
+finding.  Something it was good just to know existed; something whose
+existence would make even a stranger better and braver and purer.
+
+She was slight, small, exquisitely fashioned; dressed in some simple,
+clinging, dark blue material of form so suitable as to make one fail
+to notice just what it was.  Sheer white rolled-back collar and cuffs
+set out the white throat and the small gloved hands; the close, dark
+blue hat with its graceful tilt and simple garnishing seemed just the
+loveliest setting for the beautiful face framed in its soft dark
+hair.  Her face was wonderfully pure, free from self-consciousness
+and pride; yet she looked as if she knew her own mind and could stand
+like a rock for a principle.  There was also a determined little
+uplift to her chin that showed a spirit of her own, and a fleeting
+dimple that promised a merry appreciation of humor if one knew her
+well enough; but the whole dainty person was good to look upon and
+Holt kept the vision within his consciousness while he covered
+Scathlin with his gaze.
+
+He loathed his task of watching Scathlin, and somehow the sight of
+the pure-faced girl had made it even more distasteful.  For almost
+two weeks now he had been at it, day and night.  He had not let
+Scathlin out of his sight for one moment since he had found him in
+Pittsburgh two days after the theft of his wallet containing valuable
+papers, land grants, water rights and other documents relating to his
+silver mines and other property.
+
+Holt had suspected the old man at once when the wallet was missing,
+partly because Scathlin had been seen twice in conversation with the
+man Harrington who was Holt's sworn enemy and who was doing all he
+could to ruin his prospects and dispute his rights to the water power
+which made the working of his mines possible; and partly because
+Scathlin had been dismissed summarily from Holt's employ but a few
+days previous to the disappearance of the property.
+
+He had trailed Scathlin to Pittsburgh where he found him mounted on a
+high stool in the station restaurant eating a comfortable breakfast.
+The old rascal turned white under his tan and stubble, and dropped
+his knife and fork loudly on the marble of the counter at the
+appearance of his former employer; but the cunning in his face had
+come at once to the front, and he welcomed Holt as if it were the
+pleasantest thing in the world to have him appear just at that lonely
+moment and eat breakfast with him.
+
+It was Holt's way not to settle the matter right then and there by
+turning the old man over to the police on suspicion, but to attach
+himself to Scathlin and find out exactly where those papers were, and
+who were the man's employers in the theft.  He was wary enough to
+know that Scathlin might have already got rid of the wallet, and he
+wished if possible to find out what he had done with the papers and
+get Scathlin into his power until he could make him produce them or
+tell their whereabouts.
+
+Harrington was superintendent of large mine interests in Hawk Valley,
+located near Holt's veins of silver, and owned by an Eastern
+syndicate.  Holt knew that capital and cunning might do a great deal
+to cripple his interests if they once got him in their power.
+Therefore he had shadowed Scathlin day and night all these days.  On
+pretence of wanting company for a pleasure trip he had gone wherever
+Scathlin professed to be going, giving him no opportunity to even
+telegraph to any of the other conspirators for money or instructions;
+eating with him, sleeping with him,--at least pretending to
+sleep--sticking to him every minute and watching him every waking
+second.
+
+It had not been a pleasant task.  Scathlin was a foul-mouthed,
+foul-souled companion for any man to tie to, and his personal habits
+were anything but attractive.  Time and again Holt had almost turned
+from his task with disgust, resolved to let his rights and all go
+rather than be tied to the creature another hour.  Yet he had stuck
+to him; and now, after these many days of cunning and craftiness, of
+trickeries too numerous to mention, of attempted escape on Scathlin's
+part; after taking side trips to funerals of Scathlin's relatives who
+never had existed, except in imagination; visits to business men who
+were supposed to be hounding Scathlin to his death and yet who were
+never found,--after all this they were on their way back to Hawk
+Valley!  Scathlin had come to the end of his money and his wits, and
+had been compelled to accept the escort and financial aid of Holt
+back to the place from which he had started, because he did not dare
+to do anything else.  This he did both on his own account and for the
+sake of his employers, who would not hesitate to leave him in the
+lurch to save themselves, and who had warned him above all things not
+to let Holt suspect his mission with those papers to the Eastern
+syndicate.  Besides, there was always the hope that he might yet
+escape and make his way back in time to present those papers to the
+man whom Harrington had said would pay him a big reward for bringing
+them.  Harrington and his men could not have done it without
+suspicion, but the plan was that Scathlin should profess to have
+found something valuable to the syndicate and be willing to sell it
+at a good price.
+
+It was no wonder that Scathlin's eyes had a hunted look, and his bad
+old face under its stubbly growth was almost pitifully desperate as
+he looked at the fresh face of the sweet young girl, and for the
+moment forgot his misery, gloating over her beauty, while Holt seemed
+to be engaged with the sunset view.  But Holt caught the gleam in his
+victim's eye and his heart burned hotly within him.  He could have
+crushed the creature then and there for the insolence of his gaze.
+He could have crushed him like vermin and felt no sin.  All the man
+in him roused to resent the evil look.
+
+"Scathlin!"  His tone was cutting with command and the old man turned
+cringing and met the steely glance of his captor, then impatient and
+trembling with anger began to look again out of the window; again the
+crimson wrath surged up his leathery neck and suffused his coarse
+features.
+
+The girl, half aware of what had been going on, turned and took it
+all in, a frightened color flickering up into her cheeks.  Her eyes,
+growing large with vague horror, met Holt's steely gaze, saw it
+change and soften reassuringly, as if he were holding at bay a
+loathsome blood-hound and wished her to understand she need not fear.
+The girl, with one fleeting look of gratitude toward the young man,
+turned back again to her window as if nothing had happened.  In fact
+no onlooker would have suspected that anything at all had happened,
+and yet really a little drama had been enacted and all the actors
+understood it as thoroughly as if it had been spoken.  But one word
+only had been audible, and the girl wasn't sure she had heard that
+aright.
+
+The dusk dropped down and the train sped on over the plains.
+
+And now the sunset stains grew deeper and blended into gold and
+crimson and lifted the gray into clear opal spaces of luminous
+beauty, spreading the panoply of color far along the horizon of the
+plain.  It was a thing to make one look in awe, to hush evil thoughts
+and bring a holiness to hearts.  Something of its calm and strength
+crept into the girl's expression as she watched it, and once she half
+turned to see if Holt was watching too.  But Holt was sitting facing
+the other way and could see only the fading trails of glory in the
+sky as it sped away from his gaze, though he had caught the
+reflection of wonder from her face, and averted his own eyes as if
+from too holy a sight.  Those who knew Holt, or thought they knew
+him, would have laughed loud and long at such an idea of him, but it
+was true.  The girl felt it as she turned safely back to her sunset.
+
+Scathlin was not enjoying the view.  He was looking furtively on
+every side to see if there could be by any chance a good place where
+he might risk throwing out that cursed wallet and hope ever to find
+it again.  If only there would be a station--or he could risk
+dropping it out of the window near some water tank or something.  But
+the plain slid by, a level monotony, broken only by the rose and
+emerald and gold of the setting sun.  Scathlin grew more and more
+desperate.  It was growing dark, and he dared not throw the wallet
+where he could not find it again, or where someone else might find
+it--and yet!  They were nearing Hawk Valley.  The morning would bring
+them within the ranging of Holt's men--that band of trained and
+devoted outlaws who were as relentless in their justice as they were
+careless of their lives.  No mercy was to be expected from their
+hands if once he fell among them.  He shivered as a tall shaft of a
+bare tree, dead and stark, stood in the distance against the clear
+gold of the sunset line.  It was on such a tree he had seen a cattle
+thief hang, ghastly against the sky, as he rode by once just at
+nightfall.  It might easily be his fate before another sunset.  If he
+could not get away in the night all chance of escape before they
+reached Hawk Valley was gone, for well he knew Jasper Holt's men were
+set at intervals along the way, sentinels ready to head him off.  And
+what treatment could he expect from either Jasper Holt or his men
+with that incriminating wallet in his pocket?  He had been a fool to
+take up with Harrington's offer.  Money or no money, it wasn't worth
+the risk.  He was getting to be an old man and not so ready to face
+death as when his blood was hot and his hand steady.  He had not even
+any weapons of defence, thanks to his grim captor who had disarmed
+him while he slept, the first night of their journey together.  There
+had never been any open recognition of the fact between them, save
+that one glance as Scathlin put his hand to the pocket where it had
+been and was not.  He had charged with his eyes in one look of
+helpless fury, and Holt's clear gray eyes had met his unflinchingly
+in acknowledgment.  That had been all, but Scathlin knew then that
+there was nothing for him but to evade Holt and get away if possible.
+He would stand no chance in an open conflict, and his captor was
+untiringly vigilant.  He glanced again at the stern face opposite
+him, wondering what would be the fate to which he was surely, swiftly
+hastening.  States prison?  Or would they take the law into their own
+hands?  He knew what that might mean only too well, and again the
+desperate look passed over his face with Hate and Murder looking
+dimly from his eyes.  How he would like to spring at that slim brown
+throat opposite him and throttle the life from the young fellow.
+Only a kid,--a mere kid,--and yet he had withstood many, and had
+power to crush Scathlin in spite of all his boasted cunning.  The
+look of a serpent crept into the little gleaming eyes of the old man
+as he noticed the quick glance his companion cast at the girl across
+the aisle; and his own eyes followed filled with hate.  Yes, he would
+like to drive his fat, hairy fingers into the white throat of the
+girl before the eyes of her gallant defender if only he had Holt
+helpless!  But instead, here was he, helpless himself!  And he must
+find a way to escape before morning, or else get rid of that wallet
+in some safe way.  Surely, surely Holt would be off his guard
+sometimes for a little space.  He had scarcely slept a wink for four
+days; how could he endure it much longer?
+
+But Scathlin's cogitations were cut short by the entrance of the
+conductor at last and he turned to watch the girl as she spoke to him.
+
+"I was to have had a section reserved for me," she was saying to the
+conductor.  "My brother-in-law, Mr. James Harrington of Hawk Valley,
+arranged for it, and telegraphed me that it was all right.  See, I
+have the telegram.  But the porter said I must come in here until I
+saw you because I had no ticket for the Pullman."
+
+She held out the yellow envelope and the conductor looked at it.
+
+"Your brother's name is Harrington?  You are going to Hawk Valley?"
+
+He looked at her sharply.  "Well, just wait a few minutes till I go
+through the next car and then I'll see to it.  It ought to be all
+right."
+
+He bustled on his way attending to his passengers and the girl sat
+back again to wait.
+
+At the name "Harrington" Scathlin had turned with a start and looked
+toward the girl; but even in the act he caught the narrow gleam of
+Holt's half-closed eyes, and, remembering, turned back again to his
+window while his thoughts went pounding into new channels.  He had
+made a mistake, of course, to let Holt see that he had heard, so he
+kept his eyes toward the window until it grew quite dark.  But he had
+a plan at last.  In another minute he got upon his feet, yawning, and
+declared his intention of getting a drink of water from the cooler at
+the other end of the car.
+
+"Good idea!" said Holt, rising and following his captive down the
+aisle lazily.
+
+Scathlin reached the cooler first and took his drink, while Holt
+stood waiting for the cup and let Scathlin go back to his seat alone,
+apparently not noticing him.  Scathlin settled back in his seat with
+one eye on Holt, and one eye on the girl.
+
+Holt stood drinking in a leisurely way, apparently interested in
+looking through the glass of the door into the next car though he was
+fully aware that Scathlin was fumbling in the inner pocket of his
+flannel shirt.  He lingered, hoping that the old man would do
+something which would make him more certain of what he already
+believed to be true, and saw Scathlin finally, after repeated
+fumbling under the shirt, draw forth a small dark object that, in the
+one swift glimpse Holt had of it, looked like his own leather wallet
+in search of which he had come this long hard journey.  Anxious to
+see what Scathlin's next move was to be, he remained quietly standing
+and still apparently looking through the car door, though not a move
+of Scathlin's was lost upon him.  To his amazement he suddenly saw
+Scathlin bend forward and pick up something from the car floor, then
+lean toward the girl in the opposite seat and put the object in her
+lap, at the same time speaking to her.  Had the man picked up
+something the girl had dropped or was he----?  Preposterous!  The
+fellow wouldn't dare, with a strange girl.  She was smiling and
+looking down at the thing in her lap and seemed to be thanking him.
+She had probably dropped her handkerchief or pocketbook and Scathlin
+had picked it up.  Holt sauntered leisurely back to his seat and
+found Scathlin fumbling with his shoe lace.  He studied him narrowly
+and fancied that he detected a look of cunning satisfaction on the
+stubbly old face, yet was puzzled to know what caused it.  Had the
+scoundrel dared to give those papers to the girl when he stood in
+full view?  It seemed incredible,--and yet?  If he had, Holt's hands
+were pretty well tied and he had two to watch instead of one.  He
+didn't like the idea of shadowing this beautiful young woman.
+
+Just then the conductor returned and spoke to the girl.
+
+"Well, your berth's reserved for you all right, but it was in the
+name of Harrington.  It's section seven in the next car.  This your
+baggage?  Come this way and I'll show you."
+
+The girl followed the conductor, with a half hesitating glance toward
+Scathlin who was engaged with his shoe.  Holt noticed she held her
+hand bag clasped tightly as if she were afraid it might be taken from
+her.  When she was gone the night settled down unpleasantly about
+them and Scathlin, apparently worn out, snored as he had not dared to
+do for a week.  But Holt sat up and studied his problem.  He could
+not afford to take any chances on sleep that night; moreover his
+heart was in a tumult.  This girl was coming to Hawk Valley, to visit
+the Harringtons.  She was a sister of Mrs. Harrington, the handsomest
+woman, the best dressed woman, the most influential woman in all that
+Valley.  Would he ever see the girl?  Sometimes, from afar
+perhaps--and a bitter look swept over his face.
+
+Scathlin slept on, with his coarse lower jaw down dropped, and all
+his unpleasant features relaxed.  He was no charming picture to look
+upon.  Holt noticed that there was no longer that furtive grasp of
+one hand upon his breast which had been since their journey together
+had begun.  Scathlin's horny hands, with their grasping look of
+cunning, were lying idly by his side, and Scathlin himself was
+enjoying a well-earned rest, his heavily shod feet sprawled out under
+Holt's seat.
+
+The night droned on; the train sped on its way through the darkness,
+and still Holt sat wide awake and thinking.
+
+"I can't quite dope things out," he said to himself as he settled
+back in a new position.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+Meanwhile Jean Grayson had followed her bustling conductor into the
+sleeper with a sense of deep relief.  She had been frankly frightened
+since the rough old tramp-looking creature across the aisle had
+landed a worn-looking wallet surreptitiously in her lap and asked if
+he hadn't heard her say she was going to Mr. Harrington at Hawk
+Valley, and would she be so good as to give that case of important
+papers to him and not let anyone else know she had it?
+
+She had accepted the trust because she did not know what else to do;
+and after all, it seemed a simple enough request.  The man had
+explained that he had to go off in another direction at the next stop
+and could not deliver the goods himself and it was most important
+that it get to her brother at once.  There did not seem to be any
+good reason why she should refuse, and yet it had frightened her, and
+she wished with all her heart that she had gone with the conductor to
+see about the sleeper and not stayed here to have this dirty old
+leather case put into her keeping by that dirty old man.  She did not
+know what to do with it.  She hated to put it in her dear little new
+handbag, and she restrained her well cut nose from a shrinking sniff
+as she hastily put it out of sight.
+
+She had sat looking out of the darkened window with her heart in a
+tumult as the tall young man with the fine eyes and the air of
+reckless assurance came back to his seat.  What had he to do with the
+old fellow?  Could he be his son?  No, never!  But did he know about
+the important papers?  Could he have put the old man up to giving
+them to her, so that, under some pretence or other, he himself might
+speak to her?  She did not dare to look his way lest he should
+presume upon the old man's speaking.  This, her first Western trip,
+was a fearsome thing to her, although she revelled in the joy of it.
+
+Yet, when she arose to follow the conductor and gave one swift
+comprehensive glance toward the opposite seat, she saw a respectful
+pair of gray eyes looking interestedly at her, with nothing
+presumptuous in them, and she instantly felt that there was no need
+to fear that young man.  He might be dressed like a cow-boy, but he
+had eyes like a gentleman.
+
+Miss Grayson was tired, for she had come a long journey, stopping a
+day on the way with relatives who had taken her sight-seeing and kept
+her going every minute, so that she was glad to creep into her berth
+as soon as the porter had made it up.
+
+She shrank in dislike from the leather case in her handbag, and after
+some hesitation took it out and wrapped it in a leaf from a magazine
+she had brought with her.  She could not bear to have the thing in
+with all her nice fresh handkerchiefs and dainty little articles.  It
+seemed contaminating.  She had a half impulse to throw it away or
+lose it; and then her conscience reproached her loudly for so
+dishonorable a thought.  The papers might be valuable, of course, and
+in that case her brother would have just cause to blame her if she
+did not bring them.  At the same time she hated the thought of
+carrying around anything that had been in the possession of that
+repulsive-looking man.
+
+As she settled herself to sleep and drew around her the folds of the
+soft silk Pullman robe that had been her mother's parting surprise,
+loving thoughts of those she had left behind her filled her mind.
+All the little tender words, looks and acts of loving sacrifice that
+she might be well fitted out for this journey, came flocking to be
+recognized, until unbidden tears filled her eyes.  This silken robe
+was an extravagance, she knew, and would be paid for by many a denial
+on the part of father and mother, but it represented their great love
+for her.  A thought of what they would have felt about her being
+accosted by that rough man and asked to carry that package for him
+came to trouble her, yet what other possible thing was there for her
+to do but to accept it?  It certainly could not be dynamite or an
+infernal machine.  Her mother would have thought of something of that
+nature the first thing,--or infection, perhaps smallpox or something
+equally horrible.  That was possible, of course.  But still, the man
+looked healthy enough.
+
+Her father?  Yes, her father would undoubtedly have approved of her
+taking the package.  Her father was one who never thought of himself
+when anything in the shape of duty demanded attention, and he had
+brought her up with the same feeling.  Anyway, now that she had taken
+it and agreed to deliver it, there seemed nothing more to be done but
+to keep her word, and it was a simple enough affair, of course, and
+after all, quite reasonable.  Why should it bother her so?
+
+Nevertheless, it mingled with her dreaming thoughts as she drifted
+off to sleep, and a kind of assurance with regard to it came as she
+remembered the steady, clear eyes of the younger man.
+
+Softly in her silken wrapping she lay and slept while the monotonous
+hum of the rushing train only lulled her to deeper slumber.
+
+Suddenly, in the midst of the commonplace sounds of the journey there
+came a grinding, grating shriek as of strong metal hard pressed and
+unable to withstand.  A crash, a jolt, then terrible confusion.  The
+very foundations of the earth seemed upshaken, the cars climbing
+through the awful air, then pitching, writhing, tossing, and at last
+settling uncertainly in strange positions, while the night was filled
+with horrid sounds too varying to analyze.  Cries of women and
+children!  Groans of men in mortal agony; breaking glass and
+splintering timbers; rending of metal in reluctant, discordant clang!
+And below, rising menacingly to threaten all, came the lurid glare of
+flame, the wild, exultant crackle of fire that knows its opportunity
+and power; the desperate hysterical clamor of those who have
+discovered it, and the mad, brave shouts of those who would attempt
+to conquer it.
+
+Jean Grayson awoke in dazed bewilderment.  For a moment the noise
+seemed a part of her dream; her strange, huddled position on the wood
+at the foot of her berth, a figment of her imagination.  But almost
+at once the cold breath from the broken window brought her to her
+senses.  An accident!  It had come then!  The thing which her mother
+had feared and tried to provide against.  She was in a railroad
+accident all alone and out in the wilds of the West where she was
+utterly unacquainted with anyone!  It was characteristic of Jean
+that, when she realized her plight, she thought first of how her
+mother would take the news, and not of how she would bear the
+experience, or whether it meant life and death to herself.  That she
+must get out of danger and let her mother know of her safety was her
+instant impulse, and from that moment her senses were keenly on the
+alert for every detail.
+
+Her mother's horror of railroad accidents made the possibilities of
+her present position as plain to her as if she had lived the whole
+experience before.  She seemed to comprehend in a flash just what had
+happened, and about the position the car was in at the time.  The
+lurid glare that was already leaping and flickering outside showed
+jagged glass in the window frame, and scattered gleaming fragments
+all about her.  She must move carefully not to be cut by them.  Fire!
+That was the next thing she took in.  That meant that her only hope
+of life was to get out at once.  Cautiously she looked out of the
+window to get a better idea of things and her heart stood still with
+the horror of it all.  For one little terrible second she forgot her
+mother's fears and felt her own gasping, choking terror at what was
+before her.  One moment she faced a probable death, felt her
+helplessness, and gave a cry of anguish for those who had always
+protected her from peril, and who were far away.  Then her own brave
+courage rose and steadied her nerves.  She resolved not to die if
+there were any possible way out of it; and terror relaxed its hold
+upon her at sight of her courage.
+
+With resolute determination she held her horror-stricken eyes to take
+in the situation in detail.  She must know everything, see
+everything, if she were to save herself, for she comprehended readily
+enough that as things were it was every one for himself.  No one was
+going to risk his life to hunt her up and drag her forth from the
+pile of doomed cars.
+
+The train had been crossing a river when the crash came.  There was
+water down below, black and terrifying in the glare of flame that was
+leaping like great tongues among the ruins just ahead.  She could not
+tell if the cause of the accident had been a broken bridge or a
+collision, and knew little about such things to judge.  The cars were
+piled one upon another in wild confusion, and the Pullman in which
+she was immured was standing on its forward end almost
+perpendicularly.  The engine was overturned and fire was creeping
+upward and threatening the whole mass; while below, the great black
+stretch of water reflected the sight, making doubly terrible every
+feature.
+
+Jean drew back and attempted to look out into the car, but the
+curtains were jammed tight by some heavy object which had fallen
+against them, and she could get no idea of the situation on that
+side.  When she at last succeeded in pulling the curtain away enough
+to look she saw only a dark precipice below, with writhing forms and
+jumbled shapes.  No one seemed to have thought of any way of escape
+for the passengers, or to be making any attempt to get them out
+before it was too late.  The shouts and cries that came from below
+had no authority among them.  It was plain that the only hope of
+escape was through the broken window and down into that abyss of
+water and fire below.
+
+Jean drew back and felt carefully around for her shoes.  She could
+not take much with her, and she must work rapidly.  The shoes and
+little handbag were almost under her, and she drew on the shoes,
+fastening a button or two.  She hesitated a second with her hand on
+the precious bag.  All her money, her trunk check and her little bits
+of jewelry were in it.  She must save them if she could.  Those
+papers that had been trusted to her were there also.  Quickly she
+stuffed the bag within the breast of her garments and fastened it
+there with a large safety pin, with which she had fastened the berth
+curtain the night before, when a refractory button kept coming
+undone.  Her heart gave a leap of excitement.  Now, in her need, she
+remembered it, and, groping, found it there in the semi-darkness, big
+enough to be found when wanted, and to hold the bag in safety.
+
+She gave one frightened look out the window at the growing, widening
+horrors below, and then began slowly, cautiously to creep through,
+feet first.  It was a dangerous and painful task, as there was much
+glass still adhering firmly to the window frame, and she found that
+she had to draw back at first and hunt up her hair brush with which
+to break away the sharp edges and make the opening large enough.
+
+It seemed an hour, though in reality it was but a moment or two,
+before she finally succeeded in getting out of the window, so that
+she clung, suspended, both arms still inside the berth, but her body
+hanging over the abyss of black depths mingled with flames.
+
+Dark shapes were moving about down there, dark, moaning creatures
+were dropping with sickening splashes into the water.  She dared not
+look to see if they rose.  Her head grew light, and she felt her
+fingers slipping.  Her strength would not hold her long, and she was
+almost on the point of trying to creep back inside the berth when a
+long cry as of the lost, mingled with moans and screams of women and
+children, arose from below, and she saw a great sheet of fire leap up
+and lick the lower end of the very car to which she clung.  She could
+feel the heat of it where she was, and but for the slight inclination
+of the car it would have been between her and the water.
+
+With a low moan of horror she closed her eyes and let herself drop.
+Down, down, she felt herself falling, through æons of time and space,
+and knew that she was wondering how her mother would bear it when she
+heard.  Then the shock of the water, and darkness closed over her in
+a smothering chill.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+She came up again gasping, choking, aware of the shouts and the
+noise, of the struggling figures and dropping objects; aware that she
+was only one more in the way and might better have stayed where she
+was; then struck out feebly; but something fell upon her head,
+something soft like a-pillow perhaps, but enough to put her under
+water again, and she felt that this was the end.
+
+When she could get her breath again a strong arm was pulling her away
+from the crowd and noise.  There were things in the way, people and
+heavy objects, but she was being steered through them all, out of the
+labyrinth of horror and into dark, still waters.
+
+There followed a long stretch of toiling through the water, which
+seemed like ages, when her breath came in gasps, and her heart seemed
+pounding her very life away as she ploughed through the blackness,
+making a brave effort to keep up with the strong, steady strokes
+beside her, though scarcely aware of what she was doing.  Life seemed
+going from her ebb by ebb and it was not worth while to try to hold
+on to it any longer, and yet the memory of her mother's fears kept
+her trying.  After that she kept on, unconscious of anything save
+that she must keep going, she must, she must--till finally even that
+dim impulse flickered out and the water flowed about her very soul;
+softly, dreamily, possessingly.  Yet still she was drawn on and on
+through the blackness to a distant shore.
+
+He dragged her up on the bank at last, the man who had saved her out
+of the chaos of peril and brought her with him at the expense of his
+own almost exhausted strength.  He was gasping and all but finished,
+himself; when he dropped beside her among the tall reeds that served
+to shelter them from the night, and for a few moments they lay quiet,
+passive; the girl unconscious, the man panting for breath and unable
+as yet to think what to do next; two stranger souls in common peril,
+knowing naught of each other or of what was before them.
+
+In a moment, however, the chill of the night roused the man, and he
+shivered and sat up.  Whoever it was that he had saved--a woman--her
+long hair and trammelling garments had already told him that--she
+would die if she lay long in that condition.  What could he do?
+
+He shivered again and got up.  He shook the water from himself.  His
+splendid strength reasserted itself, and his breath was steady now.
+He was surprised that even a swim like that, encumbered as he was
+with heavy clothing and shoes, and bearing another helpless creature,
+should have knocked him out so completely.  Then he reflected that he
+had lost much sleep during the past few days; still, that was not
+enough to make him feel so worthless.  He shook himself again and
+stretched his muscles, as he used to do on the football field in his
+nearby boyhood days, after a knockout, when he heard the call back
+into the game.  If ever there was a call to come back into the game
+it was now, for this woman would die if he did not do something at
+once.
+
+The night was wild and chill.  Across the river, farther away than he
+dreamed they had come, the sky was lurid with the fire that flared
+grotesquely against the darkness.  The current must have carried them
+downstream as they crossed.  He had thought to go back and help save
+others so soon as he had this one safe, but the way was far and this
+woman was apparently helpless, perhaps unconscious, or at least
+exhausted.  If she lay here in her wet garments she would die from
+the cold.  He must get her to her feet and keep her warm somehow.
+
+Stooping, he lifted her light weight and bore her farther up the bank
+into the woods, then laid her down on the ground and knelt to listen
+to her heart.  It was beating weakly.  If only he had fire or
+stimulant or both!  Perhaps there was a house somewhere near.  He
+would carry her a little way and see.  So he picked her up again,
+holding her close to keep her warm, and struggled on through the
+thick undergrowth in the darkness.
+
+That night was an experience to be remembered through a lifetime.
+The young strength of the man seemed to revive with the necessity,
+and he carried the woman a long distance before, with the warmth of
+his body and the motion of the going, the girl came to her senses and
+was able to walk for herself.
+
+For the first instant of her waking to consciousness her soul seemed
+to stand still with horror.  Where was she and who was carrying her?
+What would happen to her?  Would she ever see her home and friends
+again?  The questions rushed madly through her mind and almost
+paralyzed her thoughts for an instant.  Then memory reasserted
+itself.  All the facts of the disaster as she had seen them, came
+back.  She knew that whoever was carrying her must have saved her out
+of kindness.  She knew that he must have had to swim alone during at
+least a part of the way through the water, for she could distinctly
+remember, now, the horror of being unable to keep up any longer.
+Then there was something else, a kindly, strong, impersonal clasp
+that made her unafraid.  After a minute she signified her ability to
+walk, and he set her down at once, yet held her arm and put his own
+about her for support.
+
+"If you can walk it will keep you warm," he said briefly; and with no
+apology for his arm about her he hurried her on.  It was all she
+could do to keep up with his pace, and when her feet faltered he
+seemed to almost lift her from the ground as he still strode on.
+
+"We must keep going," he said again, as if he had no more breath to
+waste in words.  On and on they went, but still they did not come to
+any human habitation.  Finally, when he saw that she could go no
+further, and that she needed rest, he made her sit down in a
+sheltered place behind some trees.  Later, when she was almost
+asleep, she knew her head was resting against his shoulder.  Once in
+the night she awoke and saw a fire blazing near her, and realized
+that a man's coat was spread over her and she was warm and
+comparatively dry.  There was no one in sight, but she heard a step
+not far away and the crackling of breaking branches.  She did not
+wonder how the fire came.  She slept again.
+
+It was in the early dawn that she awoke sharply as if she had been
+called, and stretching her stiff limbs looked wildly about her,
+startlingly aware of the night that had passed and her strange
+isolation with an unknown man.
+
+He lay upon the ground at the other side of the fire which had been
+piled high with wood and was burning beautifully, his strong fine
+figure stretched wearily at full length, the brown curly hair tumbled
+back from his bronzed face, which in spite of its soil and grime
+showed a manly beauty.  The utter weariness and relaxation of his
+body made him seem like a boy.
+
+The girl looked and wondered, and turned away to remember.  He must
+have had to swim with her quite a distance, and drag her to land
+after she ceased to help herself.  Also he must have carried her a
+long journey.  He had upheld her when she walked beside him, and had
+sat against a tree and made her lean against him part of the time
+while she slept.  Then how did he get that fire?  Some mystery known
+to woodcraft no doubt.  She glanced at herself with the thick brown
+coat tucked carefully about her still.  She touched it softly, almost
+reverently with her finger-tips.  It was dry!  He had contrived to
+dry it and put it about her!
+
+She looked over at the man again.  He wore a brown flannel shirt and
+heavy trousers like the coat.  He must have been cold himself without
+his coat while she slept in comfort.  And he had stayed awake all
+night to keep the fire going to dry her things and keep her warm!
+
+There were tears in her eyes as her glance lingered on the boyish
+face.  She pictured writing to her mother what he was like, this
+strong man like an angel who had saved her.  Then she shuddered at
+the thought of the wreck and all she had gone through.  What would
+have been her fate if he had not put his arm beneath her when she was
+sinking?
+
+Presently, as the dawn crept higher up the sky and lit the world with
+rose and golden light, she stole shyly from her couch under the tree
+and, stepping softly, came to where he was and tucked the coat
+carefully about him, as he lay, one cheek pillowed on his arm.  Her
+hand brushed lightly against his hair, and she marvelled at its
+softness--like a baby's.  His skin, too, had that clear ruddy glow of
+perfect health, even beneath the grime of the night.  She looked down
+on him with wonder and a great gratitude that seemed to almost
+overwhelm her.  Perhaps all people felt so toward men who had saved
+their lives; but Jean Grayson had never before seen a man who seemed
+one-half so strong and great and good as this mere boy looked to her
+now in the early light of morning, asleep upon the ground and soundly
+unaware of her tender ministration.
+
+She slipped away quietly without wakening him, and stood a moment
+looking about her upon the strange unknown world, wondering where she
+was.  What State was this?  She could not even be sure of that.  Then
+she looked down at herself.
+
+She wore the long black Pullman robe of soft silk, sadly draggled now
+and torn in two or three places.  How beautiful and fine it had been
+but a few short hours before!  And her other pretty clothes that had
+been bought and made so carefully at the cost of such family
+sacrifice?  Were they all gone?  Would her trunk burn up?  Or had it
+gone on ahead of her when she had stopped to visit her friends and so
+escaped destruction?  But she dismissed the thought as unworthy of
+one who had but just escaped with her life.  What were clothes beside
+life?  But how was she to go on with her journey looking like this?
+Her pretty travelling gown!  She felt a pang for that.  Well, she
+must do the best she could.
+
+Her hair was the worst of all, but she could put that right.  Her
+precious handbag!  She put her hand to her breast to be sure it was
+there safe.  Yes, it was still fastened to her clothing, though the
+pin had torn away and there was but a small hold of the cloth still
+in it.  She pulled it out and examined it, seated behind a tree away
+from the fire and the sleeping man.  Yes, the bag was safe, and its
+contents, but its beauty was gone, for the thin leather finish was
+blistered and peeling from the inner lining.  The things inside were
+all there, even the strange man's leather case, wrapped in a wet pulp
+of paper.  She took the paper off and threw it from her; then
+realizing how few worldly goods she was now possessed of, she reached
+and spread the paper out to dry.  It would be needed, of course.
+
+Her small store of money was safe, and her bits of pins and watch,
+the little timepiece ticking bravely on as if it were alive and
+trying to be cheerful under adverse circumstances.
+
+Jean took out her combs and hair pins which she had stowed in the
+pocket of her handbag that they might be easily found in the morning,
+and felt rich indeed to have them.  They would assist very materially
+in her toilet.
+
+With the aid of the combs she presently had her hair soft and shining
+in its accustomed coils and fluffy masses, for fortunately for her
+appearance that morning, her hair was of the kind that tries to curl
+in spite of floods and winds, and it fluffed its prettiest with the
+first rays of the sun glinting over it.
+
+The handbag held, among other things, a needle and both black and
+white thread.  With their aid Jean mended the rents in her robe, and
+managed to make herself look quite like a maiden of the present day.
+Then wrapping the damp paper again about the displeasing leather case
+she bestowed it with a shrug of dislike, in the disfigured bag once
+more and started forth in search of water to wash off the stains of
+the night.
+
+Her hands were badly scratched and one had been bleeding.  She
+remembered the glass and wondered now how she had escaped with as few
+scratches as she had.
+
+But water she could not find within sight of the fire and she dared
+not go further lest she get lost.  She found, however, a dense growth
+of bushes bearing great luscious berries, and though they were not
+exactly like any berries with which she was familiar she decided that
+they were probably edible, and gathered her hands full.  Then, coming
+softly back near the fire, she looked around for a suitable place for
+the breakfast table.  The sleeper had not awakened.  She went about
+cautiously and found a great flat rock quite near where he lay that
+would do beautifully.  Here she laid her berries on a dish of green
+leaves, with their points all radiating from the centre and two large
+leaves, one on each side, for plates.
+
+Then remembering something, she opened her handbag again.
+
+The day before, when her cousins had been taking her sightseeing,
+they had treated her to ice cream soda, with which had been served a
+tiny envelope of wax paper containing three small wafer crackers.
+She had put hers in the bag, laughingly declaring that she would eat
+them on the train when she was hungry, and one cousin had added her
+envelope as well.  She had not thought of them when she opened it
+before, but now she hurried to bring them forth.  Of course they
+would be spoiled!  But no--the envelopes were still about them, and
+though somewhat damp they had retained their shape and looked
+exceedingly good to a hungry mortal.
+
+Eagerly she set them forth, three on each leaf-plate, and hurried
+back to the bush to get more berries.
+
+Either the soft stepping feet as they went lightly through the grass,
+or the falling of a stick into the ashes of the fire disturbed the
+sleeper, for he awoke suddenly and looked about him.
+
+The girl was gone!  That was his first thought.
+
+The look of boyishness fell away from him in a flash, and he rose to
+his feet and gazed about him anxiously, alertly, as if he feared
+danger near.  Then his eyes fell on the flat rock with its mimic
+banquet spread forth!  A flood of wonder and delight swept into his
+face and a great tenderness, such as no one of his friends or foes
+ever dreamed would be hid away anywhere in his nature.  He had never
+played dolls on a rock with some little girl, and moss and acorns for
+carpet and dishes, but the "playhouse" spirit was there in his heart
+and leaped at once into consciousness.  A table for two!  The woman
+had provided a meal even in the wilderness!
+
+He had been turning about in his mind how he was to get something to
+eat with neither powder nor hook, and here she had been quicker than
+he and breakfast was all prepared!
+
+Something stirred in Jasper Holt's heart that he had not known was
+there, a longing for companionship in his life and home; the table
+set for two and someone to care!  He had never felt its need before
+and he did not call it by that name now--he merely experienced a
+strangely beautiful thrill at the new possibilities that life
+suddenly revealed to him; something higher and better and infinitely
+sweeter than any of the ambitions and ideals he had hitherto
+entertained.
+
+He was still standing, gazing in wonder at the table, when the quick
+crackling of a twig made known her return.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+She stood for an instant, framed in the opening of the trees, her
+eyes bright, her lips parted, her cheeks pink with the exertion of
+picking the berries.  Both her hands were full of the fruit.
+
+"Oh, good morning!" she said shyly before he could think what to say,
+"I hope I didn't waken you.  I am sure you needed to sleep longer."
+
+His eyes glowed with admiration, and he stood startled at her beauty,
+marvelling that she had accomplished a toilet with so little at her
+command.
+
+"How about you?" he said, watching her with admiring glance, "You
+didn't need any sleep at all, I suppose.  You were just about all in
+last night and no mistake."
+
+"Yes, I guess I was," she answered penitently, "and I'm afraid I gave
+you a lot of trouble, not being able to walk when I should.  I can
+never thank you enough!  You saved my life, of course!  I never
+should have got to shore----"
+
+"Forget it!" he said with a smile, "it was nothing."
+
+"And you had to carry me a long distance, I am sure you did.  I can
+remember a long time when I know I was not walking.  You must be worn
+out!"
+
+"Why, you're not heavy," he said amusedly, eyeing her slender frame.
+"I could carry you a good deal farther than that and not play out.
+I'm glad to see you look so rested this morning.  I didn't expect it
+after what you went through.  I see you have your nerve with you.  It
+was a pretty nervy thing you did, you know, that stunt of dropping
+out the window.  I had just got out myself further down and climbed
+on shore to see if there was anything I could do for anyone, when I
+saw you drop, and I thought you were gone for sure.  There were rocks
+and timbers all around there and heavy things falling, and I thought
+I saw your finish."
+
+"And so you came and rescued me!" she said, with a look of gratitude
+that brought a flush over his strong, tanned face.
+
+"Oh, I just floated over that way to see if I could pick up anybody.
+I couldn't tell who I was fishing out when I took hold of you, there
+were so many sounds and things around."
+
+"Well, I--I can't thank you enough now," she said, and there was a
+glisten of tears in her eyes.  "I know it was wonderful what you did."
+
+"Oh, forget it!" he said again, laughing lightly.  "It was bad enough
+all around, and we were lucky to get off as we did.  But we aren't
+out of the woods yet.  We'd better let bygones be bygones for the
+present anyway.  Don't you want to sit down?"
+
+Jean smilingly acquiesced, dropping down beside the rock with her
+berries, and leaning over to arrange them with the rest.
+
+"These ought to be washed," she said as she arranged them on the leaf
+plate in the centre, "but I couldn't find any water."
+
+"Water won't be so hard to find, but we haven't anything to put it
+in," he answered laughing, "and besides, we oughtn't to mind a little
+dirt after all we've been through.  I doubt if the berries I usually
+get are washed anyway.  But if I had anything to carry it in, I'd
+find some water.  I haven't even a hat----"
+
+"Why, I had a little drinking cup, but I don't remember whether it's
+in my bag or not.  Perhaps I put it in the suit case, though I think
+I left it in my bag."
+
+She laid down the last berries, and wiping the stains from her
+fingers on the grass she opened the bag which she had slipped through
+the belt of her robe and made to hang at her side.  It was rather
+full and when it was opened the leather wallet, wrapped in its damp
+paper, fell out on the ground, and the paper came unfolded, revealing
+what it contained.
+
+The young man stooped gravely, a dark flush rising to his cheeks, and
+picked it up.  He did not look startled nor surprised and she noticed
+nothing strange in his manner as he handed it to her.  Afterward she
+wondered at that.
+
+The cup did not materialize, but there were the two little wax paper
+envelopes, which might hold water.  She held them out to him, and
+looking up, their eyes met.
+
+"Why, you are the man who sat opposite to me in the day coach," she
+said in pleased surprise, "I didn't recognize you before without your
+hat on.  But I remember thinking when I went to the other car that
+you had a face that one need not be afraid of.  I was a little
+frightened by the old man who sat with you--he spoke to me--but when
+I saw you I was not afraid any more.  Mother says I'm always going by
+my intuitions, but I think this time you've proved them true.  I knew
+you were a person to be trusted."
+
+He looked at her wonderingly, a strange expression of wistfulness
+crossing his face.
+
+"People don't often feel that way about me," he said in a strange low
+tone that seemed to hide a good deal more behind the words than was
+said.  "I guess you're the first person who has trusted me in a long
+time."
+
+"Oh," she said, looking at him seriously, "I guess you don't know--or
+else--" she paused as if in doubt whether to finish the sentence.
+
+"Or else what, please?" he asked with compelling gaze.
+
+"I was going to say or else they don't know you; but that sounds
+rather bold for a stranger to say when I've only known you a few
+hours.  But I've had opportunity to prove that what I thought about
+you was true.  Perhaps it's that you do not always let people see the
+nice things in you the way you have had to let me because of my need."
+
+"Well, that's a new way of painting my character, I must say.  I
+rather like it myself but I doubt if anybody would recognize it for
+me.  I wouldn't mind being that way, believe me, and I thank you for
+sizing me up in that style.  I'll think it over, but I'm afraid
+you've got your characters mixed and I'm not in your line at all.
+However, I'm glad you think so.  Now I'll see what I can do about
+water."
+
+He took the two envelopes as if they had been cut glass goblets and
+walked away into the woods.  In a few minutes he returned with them
+dripping, his own face ruddy with recent washing, and his curls still
+damp and dark above his forehead; while the strong hands that held
+the would-be cups were clean as water could make them.
+
+"Would you like to wash your face?" he asked as he held out the cup
+for her to drink.  "Never mind the berries, they are all right as
+they are.  I'll show you the water and then come back to guard the
+food.  We don't know what wild creature may find our table and clear
+out with the whole set-out."
+
+"Oh, would they do that?" laughed Jean, interested.  "Wouldn't that
+be funny?"
+
+"It might not be so funny if we don't strike a ranch pretty soon,"
+said Holt, looking serious.  "We need all that breakfast to help us
+on our way after the night we've spent."
+
+"I will not wash my face until after breakfast," said Jean decidedly,
+coming back to the rock and seating herself by one of the
+leaf-plates.  "Sit down, please, and break your fast for we are not
+running any risks on this trip.  I want to get to a telegraph office
+and send word to my mother and father.  They will hear about the
+accident and will be terribly frightened about me.  You won't mind my
+eating with unwashed hands, will you?"
+
+"I should worry!" declared Holt, seating himself on the other side of
+the rock with the ease of one who is as much at home on the ground as
+on a chair.
+
+"These crackers are a little limp," said Jean, "but it was the best I
+could do considering that they were submerged for a long time."
+
+"They're great," said Holt, sampling one, "but how did you happen to
+have them?"
+
+She told him merrily of her visit the day before and how she had
+saved them.
+
+"They're all you have!" said Holt suddenly, "you may need the rest of
+them before we are through.  Put these away and keep them till you
+need them.  I'll just eat the berries.  I'm used to going without for
+a long time."
+
+"Wasn't your life the only one you had when you risked it to save
+me?" asked Jean, looking at him earnestly.  "I guess you'll get half
+of all there is or I won't have any."
+
+Holt looked at her admiringly.
+
+"That's all right, but I'd rather you saved them.  You're a woman."
+
+"That may be all right, but I won't," said Jean decidedly, "and I
+won't eat another bite until you eat yours."
+
+He looked at her with the glow of appreciation growing in his eyes.
+He never had seen a girl like this.
+
+"You're all white!" he said at last.  "You're the real thing.  You're
+a good fellow.  I guess we're partners, then."
+
+He held out his hand as he would have done to a man, and the girl,
+with a quick appreciation of his words, laid her small berry-stained
+hand in the big, hard one.
+
+"Thank you," she said earnestly, "That rather puts us on an equality,
+doesn't it?  But I'm not so foolish as to think we really are.  I
+know it's only a very little bit that I can do on this expedition.
+You do all the big, grand, hard things.  But you mustn't deny me the
+chance to do the little things I can do; and sharing, or even going
+without sometimes, belongs to my part.  I haven't forgotten yet that
+you saved my life."
+
+He looked at the little hand wonderingly and held it gently in his
+own, with just a slight, lingering, wistful closing of his strong
+fingers around it; then let it go as though he were afraid he might
+crush it, it seemed to him so frail and exquisite and fine.
+
+"I can tell you one thing," he said, "you're some improvement on the
+last partner I had."  Jean gave him a swift, relieved look.  "That
+horrid old man?" she asked comprehendingly.  He nodded, but searched
+her face keenly, as if he would make sure of something.  He seemed
+satisfied, however, with the frank look in her clear eyes and said no
+more.  Perhaps he hoped she would confide in him--or perhaps he liked
+her all the better that she did not--who knows?  They ate their
+meagre breakfast hungrily, yet lingered over it happily.  The morning
+seemed to each as an exquisite treasure of time loaned to them for
+this once, and there fell a charm upon them that neither quite
+understood; only they were conscious of joy in being alive and having
+each other.  The experiences of the night and the unusual
+surroundings did away with all conventionalities and feelings of
+embarrassment they would otherwise have had in their strange plight;
+and their laughter mingled and rang out among the trees joyously on
+that early beautiful morning after the disaster.
+
+He led her down to the stream to wash while he made a basket of
+leaves, pinned together with stems, and filled it full of berries.
+
+"We may need them for dinner," he remarked as he went back to the
+bushes.
+
+Jean finished her ablutions, and, washing out her handkerchief,
+filled it also with berries; and thus provided with a lunch, they
+started on their way.
+
+After coming out of the woods they climbed first to the highest point
+of ground near them and surveyed the landscape in every direction,
+but nothing more serene on a summer morning could be found anywhere
+than was before them.  Turn which way they would there was no sign of
+disaster or wreck.  The soft, green hills on every side hid the
+secret of its location, and the world lay spread before them without
+a hint of ravage or distress.  There was absolutely no way to tell
+direction except in a general way by the sun; and where the wreck had
+been it was impossible even to speculate, for they could not tell how
+they had come in the darkness.
+
+This gave a new aspect to their situation.  Holt had been thinking
+during the night that if they could work their way back to the wreck
+they would probably reach home more quickly, for surely by this time
+a relief train must have come.  But now he saw that it was useless to
+consider that longer.  They must just press on till they came to a
+house, where possibly they could procure horses, and certainly
+information as to their whereabouts.  There was a reason why he
+wished to get back to the world as quickly as possible; yet something
+taught him to be glad that necessity had given him this day or part
+of a day, whichever it was to be, with this girl.
+
+He looked down almost tenderly at the bright, trusting face that
+smiled up at him so bravely.  He had a sudden comprehending glimpse
+of what it must be to a girl, such as he could see she was, to be
+dropped down into a strange world, far from home and protection, in
+company with a man about whom she knew nothing.
+
+"Tough luck," he said, answering the question in her eyes, "but don't
+you worry, we'll get out sooner or later."
+
+"I'm not worrying," she answered earnestly, "but I was wishing we
+knew how to send a wireless to my father.  I wonder if some day they
+won't perfect the system so that people can send messages from
+anywhere without any instruments, if they just know how."
+
+"That would be great," said Holt, thoughtfully, "I'd send one this
+minute to the nearest inhabited point for two good saddle horses.
+Can you ride?"
+
+"A little.  I've never had much opportunity.  Father used to keep a
+horse, but when we moved to our present home he had to give it up.
+There wasn't really any need for it.  But I'm to ride while I'm away
+visiting my sister."  Her face brightened at the thought, and then
+clouded.  "That is if we ever get there----"
+
+"Oh, we'll get there all right," said Holt easily, taking his
+bearings and deciding which way to strike out.  "You're Mrs.
+Harrington's sister, aren't you?"
+
+"Why yes, how did you know?" said the girl with a ring of relief in
+her voice.  "You know my sister, then?"  This was almost equivalent
+to an introduction, and she knew her mother would be particular about
+that.
+
+"I heard you tell the conductor," he said.  "Shall we start?  We've
+got a good journey to travel judging by the look of things.  This
+way," and he led her down the slope out into the open where they
+could see where they were going.
+
+"But you wouldn't have remembered all this time if you hadn't known
+who she was," she flashed back, smiling.  "How pleased Eleanor will
+be when she knows one of her own friends took care of me and saved my
+life."
+
+Holt's face darkened suddenly and he did not answer at once.  When he
+did his voice was cold and hard like a sudden storm on a sunny day.
+
+"I don't think she'd exactly call me her friend!"
+
+His eyes were narrowed, and his chin was set with a haughty lift.
+
+"Well, acquaintance, then," said Jean brightly.  "Eleanor is a lot
+older than you, of course.  She was married and went away from home
+when I was just a tiny girl.  I haven't seen her all these years, and
+of course she's changed a great deal."
+
+"Yes, I suppose you'd call us acquainted," answered Holt, still in
+that queer, hard voice.  Jean felt it intuitively, but talked on,
+feeling her way to surer ground.
+
+"I wonder if my sister has ever mentioned you in her letters," she
+said brightly.  "She tells me about all the people."
+
+"Possibly!"  You could have cut ice with the sharpness of his tone.
+Then he added quietly:
+
+"My name is Holt.  Jasper Holt!"
+
+He watched her with wide challenging eyes, but although there was a
+puzzled look in her face the name evidently told her nothing.
+
+"Jasper!  What a beautiful name!  I always thought that was the most
+beautiful word.  The walls of the heavenly city are built of jasper,
+you know."
+
+"No, I didn't know," he spoke slowly, almost worshipfully.  This
+truly was a new kind of girl.  A citizen, more like, of that heavenly
+city about which she spoke with such assurance as if it were an
+actual place, than like a mortal girl.  His face was softened, made
+tender, as he looked at her, and saw the morning shining in her eyes.
+His haughtiness fell away, and all the goodness and native truth and
+purity that were hidden in his soul came out and sat upon his face.
+The people who thought they knew Jasper Holt would not have
+recognized him thus, walking beside the girl and looking down upon
+her as one looks upon the face of an angel.
+
+Jean looked up, seeing in him only the beauty of his true self; and
+looking, trusted, and was not afraid.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+He helped her over rough places and up the steep climbs.  Hand in
+hand they ran down the slopes like two children out for play; their
+merry laughter ringing out, forgetful of the recent dangers through
+which they had passed; forgetful, too, of perilous possibilities
+before them.  It was enough that the day was fresh, the sun was
+shining, their strength renewed, and they were together.  Each was
+occupied most with the fact of the other and the day.
+
+They ate their berries before the heat of the noon was fully come,
+and hurried on.  But Holt could see that his companion was growing
+weary, for the excitement of the night before had left her shaken,
+and more and more she faltered and leaned heavily upon him up the
+hills.  Then he found a quiet resting place under some trees and bade
+her sleep, and while she slept he hovered not far away.
+
+He found a pool where by a skill he had long practised he could catch
+some very small fish; and with due patience he at last secured enough
+to make a meal.  Then with infinite pains and his knowledge of
+woodcraft, he accomplished a fire once more and cooked the fish, so
+that when she awoke there was dinner spread under a tree--broiled
+fish, with clear water from the brook to drink.
+
+Holt was in a hurry to get on, for he was growing uneasy about the
+direction they were taking.  It seemed as if they were off the
+regular line of habitation and travel.  Was it possible he had turned
+too much to the north and was set to enter the desert at the most
+remote and lonely part, where they might travel for days without
+meeting anyone?
+
+He changed the direction slightly and they started on again, the
+young man watching the sun anxiously from time to time.  And now he
+kept the girl's arm, touching her elbow lightly to be ready with help
+when it was needed.  Often he drew her arm within his own and fairly
+lifted her over hard places; and so they came to higher ground and
+looked out before them once more.  The sun was lower now, and growing
+redder as it went down with premonition of the night.  The man could
+see that the girl's steps were slower, and that her face was pale
+with weariness, though she said not a word and plodded cheerfully on
+by his side.  He could see that she looked anxiously about on all
+sides whenever they came to the higher ground, and knew that she was
+thinking all this time of her mother.
+
+The fair, weary face and bright, determined countenance touched his
+heart deeply, and brought out all the latent tenderness in his
+nature; and there arose in him a great longing to help her that made
+him wonder at himself.
+
+At last as they reached another slight elevation he looked to the
+west and to his relief saw a small house with horses and cattle
+moving about in the fields.  He showed it to her and her eyes lighted
+with joy.
+
+"Oh, that is so good!  I was worried, for I know I'm a burden.  You
+would have gone the distance twice if you had been alone."
+
+His hand touched her arm more reverently close.  "I am glad I was not
+alone," he said earnestly.  "And I'm glad you were not alone."
+
+She looked up to meet his eyes and there leaped from each to the
+other a wonderful realization of the beauty of the companionship they
+had held that day.
+
+"Yes, I am glad I was not alone," she said with deep feeling, "for,
+oh, it would have been dreadful!  And this has been--beautiful," she
+finished, and wondered at herself for speaking so freely.  Then each
+was suddenly silent at the appalling realization that the free
+companionship of the day was almost at an end.  They were coming to
+the world of convention and form again, where words and actions were
+weighed and motives questioned.  There had been nothing of that here,
+for necessity and common peril had blotted them out of existence for
+the time, and it had been blessed.  Now the thought came
+simultaneously to both.  Would they ever see one another again and be
+friends?
+
+The way wound down into a ravine, and the heavy growth of trees
+shadowed the path.  It was rough and he guided her tenderly,
+respectfully, as one might guide a little child one loved.  She felt
+his care in every step she took, and her heart responded gratefully
+to his gentleness.  Her own father could not have been more
+thoughtful; and there was nothing familiar or presuming in his touch.
+He might have been a mother, the tenderness he showed.  Perhaps Jean
+felt it more because she was so very tired, and realized her lonely
+position now that night was coming on again.
+
+In the valley they came to the bank of a stream, deep and turbulent;
+and standing upon its brink, looking either way, there seemed no
+possible ford.  How deep it was they could not guess, but there was
+plainly a strong current.
+
+Holt stood a moment, surveying the barrier to their progress, walked
+a few steps up the bank and down, and looked up at the westering sky.
+Then he deliberately walked out into the stream.
+
+The girl on the bank caught her breath but said nothing.  Must they
+swim across?  Was there no other way?  She watched Holt standing,
+strong and manly, in the middle of the stream, the water above his
+waist.  Presently, when he had gone more than half way across he
+turned and came back to her.
+
+She was white with excitement, but her lips were set and her eyes
+were bright with the intention of doing his bidding.
+
+"I am sorry.  There is no other way, and we must hurry, for the sun
+is getting low.  We should reach that house before dark."
+
+He stooped and gathered her in his strong arms, lifting her shoulder
+high, and stalked out into the stream before she knew what he was
+doing.
+
+"Oh, please, I can walk as well as you," she deprecated.
+
+"Put your arms around my neck, please," he commanded, and waded in,
+holding her high and dry above the water.
+
+She obeyed instantly, in trust and shy wonder, and the water rose
+about them, but did not touch her.
+
+Once, when they were in the middle of the stream, Holt's foot slipped
+and for an instant it seemed as though he would lose his balance, but
+he lifted her the higher and almost instantly recovered himself.  In
+a moment more they had crossed the stream, and he had set her down
+upon the bank and was shaking the water from his garments as if it
+were a common thing which he had done and he enjoyed it.  She looked
+down at herself.  Not a shred of her garments was wet, while he was
+drenched almost to the arm-pits.
+
+"You are all wet!" she exclaimed, conscience-stricken.
+
+"You wouldn't expect me to keep dry in all that, would you?" he
+asked, with his eyes dancing.
+
+Then they laughed like two children, and a frightened chipmunk ran
+chattering away in the trees.
+
+"Are you all right?" he asked solicitously.  "Are you perfectly dry?"
+His voice was husky with emotion and his eyes tender.
+
+"Of course I'm dry," she answered dubiously, as if half ashamed of
+the fact.  "Why wouldn't I be when I'm treated like a baby?  It seems
+to me, you didn't quite keep to the terms of our partnership."
+
+"This was one of the big things," he said, "only I didn't want you to
+know it.  To tell you the truth, I didn't know whether that stream
+was fordable or not; and, besides, I knew that if you got your
+clothes wet again it would hinder you in walking.  Come, we must make
+that house before dark.  I'm hungry, aren't you?  And we're pretty
+sure to find bacon and corn bread at least.  How does that sound?"
+
+"Good!" she cried, laughing, and took the hand that was held out to
+her.  Together they ran on over the rough ground toward supper and
+rest.
+
+But the way was longer than they thought, and Holt had not been able
+to calculate on the slow steps of the girl who was unused to such
+long tramps, nor to going without adequate food.  The sun went down
+and the darkness was upon them before they were anywhere near the
+little house.
+
+Once Jean stumbled and almost fell, and a sound like a half sob came
+from her throat as she clutched at his arm to save herself.  It was
+then he picked her up like a tired child and carried her over the
+rough ground, until she protested so vigorously that he was forced to
+set her down and both stopped to rest.  For, indeed, Holt's own
+strength was somewhat spent by this time, though he showed no outward
+sign of fatigue, having been trained in a school that endures until
+it drops.
+
+By this time they felt as if they had known each other for years, tor
+there is nothing like a common peril and a common need to make souls
+know one another, and to bring out the true selfishness or
+unselfishness of each character.  Because these two had been
+absolutely forgetful of self, each felt for the other a most
+extraordinary attraction and reverence.
+
+As they sat silently under the stars, resting, it came to their minds
+how far from strangers they now seemed, and yet how little they knew
+about each other's lives; and they felt they needed not to know
+because of what each had been to the other during the night and the
+day that were passed.
+
+When they started on their way again arm in arm, they walked silently
+for a time, marvelling at what the day had brought them in knowledge
+of the other's fineness.
+
+"I cannot be mistaken," thought Jean.  "He is fine and noble--all
+that a man ought to be.  He looks as if he had never done anything
+wrong, yet is strong enough to kill the devil if he would."
+
+By this time the little house in the distance had put a light in its
+window, and guided them twinklingly to its door, where three great
+dogs greeted them from afar and disputed their entrance.
+
+The house was not very large, only three rooms.  A man and his wife
+and some hired hands huddled around a kerosene light, the men smoking
+and playing cards; the wife knitting silently in the rear.
+
+They looked up curiously to hear the stranger's story, half
+incredulous.  They had not heard of any railroad accident.  They
+lived twenty miles from the railroad and went to town only once a
+fortnight.
+
+"This your wife?" questioned the householder of Holt.
+
+Jean's face flamed scarlet as a new embarrassment faced her.  She had
+not thought of proprieties until now.  Of course they existed even in
+the wilderness.
+
+Holt explained haughtily.
+
+"H'm!" said the man still incredulous.  "Any more in your party?
+Wal, my woman'll take keer your woman fer t'night, an' in the mornin'
+we ken talk business.  Yas, I've got horses, but I need 'em."  The
+man looked cunningly from one to the other of the men.
+
+Jean looked at Holt, and thought how far above these people he seemed
+as he stood haughtily by the door in his wet and draggled clothing,
+with the bearing of a young king.
+
+"Oh, I can pay for the horses," said Holt, "and see that they are
+returned, too, if that is what is the matter."  And he pulled out a
+roll of bills and threw several carelessly on the table.
+
+"Wal, that alters the case," said the man more suavely, "of course,
+fer a consideration----"
+
+"Can we get some supper?" asked Holt, cutting him short.  "We've had
+very little to eat all day, and this lady is tired and hungry."
+
+The man's wife bustled forward.
+
+"Fer the land sake!" she exclaimed, "hungry this time o' night?  We
+ain't got much ready, but there was some corn bread and po'k lef from
+supper, ef they'll do.  The men is powah'ful eatahs."
+
+She set out the best her house afforded, eyeing Jean's tattered silk
+robe enviously between trips to the cupboard.  The men went on with
+their card game and Jean and Holt ate in silence.  The girl was
+beginning to dread the night and to wish for the silence of the
+starlit world and the protection of her strong, true friend.  She did
+not like the look of the men who fumbled the dirty cards and cast
+bold glances in her direction.
+
+She was even more frightened when she learned the arrangements that
+were to be made for the night.  She was assigned to a bunk in a small
+closet-like room opening from the big room in which they were all
+sitting--which appeared to be kitchen, parlor and dining-room
+combined, and was to be, for that night at least, sleeping room for
+Holt and the other men, several rolls of army blankets being the only
+visible provision made for their comfort.
+
+Holt managed to get opportunity to whisper to her as the men were
+disputing over their game while the housewife retired to the guest
+chamber to "red up."
+
+"Don't you worry," he reassured her softly.  "I'll bunk across in
+front of your door.  You can sleep and trust me."
+
+She flashed up at him a bright, weary smile that sent a thrill of joy
+through him and made him feel that nothing in all life could be
+better than to defend this girl who trusted him.
+
+In the early rose and gold of the morning Jean awoke to the smell of
+cooking ham and the sizzle of eggs frying just the other side of her
+thin partition, and knew that she had slept in safety under guard of
+her new found friend.
+
+"Jasper!  Jasper Holt!" said a strange sweet voice within her soul,
+and she wondered at the beauty of the name and the thrill of
+possession she felt in it.
+
+Jean had a little money carefully sewed inside her clothing.  It was
+to have done for her whole western trip and bought gifts for the dear
+ones at home before her return.  Now she realized it was her fortune.
+She made a bargain with the woman of the cabin for a khaki skirt and
+blouse, of doubtful cut and shabby mien, but whole and clean.  For
+these she gave two dollars and the remains of the once treasured, but
+now tattered and travel-stained silk robe she wore.  And so it was as
+a Western girl, in riding skirt and blouse, that she emerged from the
+little closet where she had slept, but so wholly was she able to
+subjugate her clothes, and so exquisitely did her flower face and
+golden-brown hair set them off that they took on a style and beauty
+entirely out of their nature; and their former owner stared in wonder
+and sighed with envy as she beheld.  It had not been the silken
+garment that made this girl a queen, but her own beauty of
+countenance and regal bearing; for here were her own old clothes worn
+like a royal robe, making the stranger lovely as the morning.
+
+Holt looked at the girl in startled wonder when she appeared, so trig
+and sweet in her travelling garb, ready for the next stage of her
+journey, and trembled with joy at the day that was before him; albeit
+the end of the journey would bring sadness and parting, he knew.  He
+wanted to knock down the men who stared insolently, offering audible
+comments on her complexion and bearing that made the swift,
+frightened color come to her cheeks.  He ate his breakfast in haughty
+silence, sitting between Jean and one of the men, and shielding her
+as far as possible from any need of conversation save with her
+hostess who waited on them all and hovered admiringly round her young
+guest's chair with offers of molasses and mush that were fairly
+overwhelming.
+
+"Any need fer a clergyman?" asked the ugliest of the three men,
+leaning forward across the table, his knife and fork held
+perpendicular each side of his plate, a large piece of ham aloft on
+his fork.  He gave an ugly wink at the others and they laughed
+coarsely and meaningly.
+
+"Yas, you could git the elder by goin' about ten mile out o' yer
+way," added another, and devoted himself audibly to his thick cup of
+muddy coffee.
+
+Holt ignored these remarks and began asking questions of his host
+about the crops and the exact location of the house with regard to
+railroads, wondering meanwhile, if Jean understood their rough jokes,
+and hoping she did not.
+
+If she did she was serene with it all, and smiled her very sweetest
+on her hostess, making her heart glad at the parting by the gift of a
+pair of cheap, but pretty, little cuff pins that had been fastened on
+the front of her travelling robe.
+
+So they mounted and rode away, Jean like the queen of a girl that she
+was, and her companion no less noble in his bearing.  The joy they
+felt in the day and each other was only equalled by their own shyness
+in speaking of it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+They talked about many things that morning as they rode happily
+toward Hawk Valley.  Holt felt no anxiety, now, about reaching there
+by night, for he knew exactly where he was and how to get there.  He
+had bargained with one of the men for fire-arms, and he could now
+shoot enough to keep them from hunger even if they were delated.  He
+had matches in his pocket and an old cow-boy hat on his head, and he
+felt rested and fit for the journey.  For the first half of the way,
+at least, he could give himself up to the bliss of a companionship
+such as he had never known in the whole of his young life.
+Reverence, awe, adoration were in his glance as he looked at the
+girl, and a great, wistful sadness grew as the day lingered toward
+evening.
+
+They rode first straight down to the telegraph station which was
+about fifteen miles from the settler's cabin, and sent reassuring
+telegrams from the forlorn little office set out alone in the middle
+of the prairie; one to Jean's father and mother back in the eastern
+home, and one to her sister, Eleanor Harrington, in Hawk Valley.
+
+"Don't worry about accident.  Am safe and well and shall reach Hawk
+Valley to-night.--Jean" said the first message.  The second Holt
+worded for himself, for he had left the girl outside the station on
+her horse.  She had asked him to be sure and tell her sister that he
+was with her so she would not worry, but the message he sent was:
+
+"Safe and well, and on my way to you with a friend who will look out
+for me.  Expect to reach Hawk Valley to-night.--Jean."
+
+Enquiry concerning the accident brought little information.  The
+wreck had been on the "other road" and the agent "hadn't heard much."
+He "didn't know whether many lives were lost or not," and he "guessed
+it was the engineer's fault, any how,--it usually was."
+
+They rode on their way in happy converse.  Jean was led to tell of
+her home life.  Not that Holt questioned her, but she seemed to love
+to talk of home, and picture her family, her friends, the church
+where her father preached, the companions of her girlhood, the
+serious school life and church work to which she had been devoting
+herself; and, above all, he saw and wondered over the sweet
+confidence that existed between this girl and her parents.  A wistful
+look came into his eyes as he thought what might have been his life
+if someone had cared for him and trusted in him that way; or if he
+had had a sister like this girl.
+
+Suddenly, in the middle of the afternoon the girl looked up and
+asked: "Will your mother worry?  Did you send her a telegram, too?"
+
+He looked at her half startled.
+
+"My mother?" he said in a strange, cold voice, "My mother never
+worries about me.  She isn't that kind.  I doubt if she even knows
+where I am these days.  I've been west for a long time.  Father died
+and mother married again since I left home.  I don't suppose she
+would even hear of the accident.  There's no one to care where I am."
+There was a bitterness in the young voice and a hardness on the
+handsome features that cast a pall over the beauty of the afternoon
+for Jean.
+
+"Oh," she said, looking at him earnestly.  "Oh, don't say that!  I'm
+sure some one cares."
+
+There were tears in her eyes.  He looked so noble and good to her,
+and her heart went out to him utterly in his loneliness.  In that
+moment she knew that she cared with all her heart; that she would
+always care.  It was strange and wonderful, but she felt she would
+always _care_!
+
+He looked at her with wonder again and a yearning that he could not
+hide.
+
+"I believe _you_ would care!" he exclaimed.
+
+She smiled through a sudden mist of tears.
+
+"Yes, I should care, I couldn't help it," she said, "You have done so
+much for me you know, and I--_know_ you so well----" she hesitated,
+"I don't see how anybody who belonged to you could help caring."  Her
+cheeks were rosy with the effort to say what she meant without
+seeming unmaidenly.
+
+His brow darkened.
+
+"Belonged!" he said bitterly.  "Belonged!  Yes, that's it.  I don't
+belong!  I don't belong anywhere!"
+
+His voice was so different and so harsh that it almost frightened
+her.  She watched him, half afraid as he brought his horse to a
+sudden stop and looked about him.  Then he changed the subject
+abruptly:
+
+"This is a good place to camp for supper and rest," he said, as if he
+had quite forgotten what they had been saying.
+
+He swung down from the saddle, hobbled his horse, and came around to
+her side to help her alight; but stood a moment looking earnestly,
+tenderly into her eyes, and she looked back at him trustingly,
+wonderingly with the worshipful homage a woman's eyes can hold for
+the man who has won her tenderest thoughts.  She did not know she was
+looking that way, bless you, no!  She would have been filled with
+confusion if she had known it.  It was unconscious and the man knew
+so and treasured her look the more for that.
+
+"I believe you do care, now," he said in a voice filled with a sort
+of holy awe that made the girl's heart leap up and the color flame
+into her cheeks.
+
+Then before she could answer or think to be embarrassed, he lifted
+her reverently from the saddle and put her on the ground.
+
+He hobbled her horse, unstrapped the pack of provisions and went off
+to gather up firewood, but when he returned she was sitting where he
+put her under the tree, her face buried in her hands, her slender
+form motionless.
+
+He stood for a moment and watched her, then came over and knelt down
+beside her, and taking her hands gently from her face, looked into
+the dewy depths of her sweet eyes and spoke:
+
+"Don't!" he pleaded gently.  "Let's have supper now, and then we'll
+talk it all out.  Will you come and help me make a fire?"
+
+There was something in his strong, tender glance that helped her to
+rise to his call.  A lovely smile grew in her eyes.  She let him help
+her to her feet, and casting aside the reserved shyness that had
+fallen over her like a misty veil, she ran here and there, gathering
+sticks and helping to make the fire blaze; talking merrily about the
+supper they were preparing just as she had done all day; but her
+heart was in a tumult of wonder.
+
+Holt shot a couple of rabbits and put them to roast before the fire.
+Jean set herself to toast the soggy corn bread and make it more
+palatable.  Their merry laughter rang out again and again as they
+prepared their simple meal.  They were like two children playing
+house.  No one looking on would have seen any difference in their
+demeanor from what it had been all day.  It was only when Holt was
+out in the open, shooting rabbits, that he allowed the sadness and
+gloom to settle down upon his young face.  It was only when he was
+away gathering more wood that Jean, left to watch the sputtering
+rabbits, let the corn bread burn, while her face grew thoughtful, and
+her eyes sweet with a tender light.
+
+It was when the supper was eaten and the fire flickering low in the
+dying light of sunset that Holt came and sat down beside the girl,
+and again a great silence fell between them.
+
+Holt had planned their home-coming to be in the dark.  For the girl's
+sake he would not have witnesses to their arrival.  This
+thoughtfulness sprang from finer feelings than the people of Hawk
+Valley dreamed that he possessed.  There remained but a little over
+an hour's ride now to reach Hawk Valley, and Holt did not mean they
+should get there before nine o'clock at the earliest.
+
+He sat gravely quiet, his strong hands folded across his raised
+knees, his back against a tree, looking bravely, wistfully, off into
+the distance.  He seemed a great deal older, now, with that grave,
+sad expression.  Jean stole a glance at him now and then, as she
+plucked at the vegetation about her, and wondered why this appalling
+silence, which she seemed powerless to break, had so suddenly fallen
+upon them.
+
+Then the man's voice broke the stillness in a low tense tone.
+"There's something I must tell you."
+
+The very air seemed waiting to hear what he would say.  The girl
+scarcely breathed.
+
+"It wouldn't have been the square thing for me to tell you that I
+loved you if I had been the only one that cared; but we've been
+through all this together, and it's as if we had known each other for
+years--and--_you care too_!  I can see it in your eyes.  I'm not
+worthy of it--but you care--and it's up to me to help you stop it.
+It would be an easier job, perhaps, if I were used to being trusted,
+but it's an honest fact that you're the first respectable person that
+has really trusted me since I can remember, and it comes hard----"
+
+His voice broke as if an alien sob had wandered into his bronzed
+throat.  A sob swelled in the girl's throat, too, and her little
+briar-scratched hand stole out and just touched his arm reassuringly
+with a feather glance of pressure, and withdrew as if to say: "I will
+bear my part of this trouble, whatever it is--please don't suffer
+more than your own part."
+
+He turned at that and the cloud on his face cleared and brightened
+into a smile that seemed to enfold her in his glance of tenderness,
+yet he lifted not a finger to touch her.
+
+"I love you!  _How_ I love you!" he said, in a low, lingering tone,
+as if the speaking of the words were exquisite joy that he knew was
+fleeting and must be treasured.
+
+"I never knew there was a girl like you.  I loved you at once as soon
+as I saw you in the train--but I knew, of course, you were not for
+me.  I'm not fit for you--I'm not in your class at all--and I
+wouldn't have dreamed of anything but worshipping you, even after
+these days together--only you _care_!  You trust me!  That broke me
+all up!  I'd give anything in this world if I could keep that and
+take it to the end and die with it--to remember that look in your
+eyes when you said you trusted me--and thought I was good--and all.
+If you weren't going right where they know all about me and will tell
+you, I'd never have opened my lips, I'd have stolen this one little
+bit of trust and kept it for my own; for down in my heart I know it
+isn't wrong, I know you may trust me.  I'd give my life to keep that
+trust----"
+
+He was looking straight into her clear eyes as he talked and his own
+eyes were clear and good, showing his strong, true spirit at its
+best.  The appeal in his voice suddenly went to the girl's heart.
+With a growing uneasiness she had listened to his words, and she felt
+that she could bear no more.  The tears rushed to her eyes and she
+put up her hands to cover her face.
+
+"Please.  Tell me quick!" she breathed softly.
+
+Puzzled, thrilled with the wonder of her tears, and longing
+inexpressibly to comfort her, he put out his hand awkwardly and laid
+it on her bowed head bending over her as he might have done to a
+child in trouble.
+
+"There's nothing for you to feel bad about."  he said in a voice of
+wonderful tenderness.  "I'm bearing this circumstance.  I just wanted
+to be the one to tell you myself that I'm not what you think me.  I'm
+not bad, really, the way I might be, but I've not been good, and I'm
+not a gentleman, not the kind you're used to.  Nobody thinks I'm
+worth anything at all.  Your people hate me, and would think it a
+good thing if somebody would kill me, I know.  You see how it is that
+I can't be like other men who love you.  I cannot ask you to marry
+me; for after you've heard what your family will say about me you
+won't look at me yourself--and I don't blame you.  It's all my own
+fault, I suppose.  I can see it now, though I never thought so till I
+looked in your eyes on the train.  If I had known a girl like you was
+coming my way I'd have made things different--I'd have been
+ready--but I didn't know.  Nobody ever told me!  And now it's too
+late.  I'm not worthy of you."
+
+He took his hand from her head and dropped back against the tree
+again, a bitter expression on his face.
+
+"Oh, don't," she pleaded softly, quick to see his changing mood,
+"Please don't look like that.  Won't you tell me what you have done
+that makes them all feel so about you?"
+
+There was silence for a moment between them while the twilight grew
+luminous with the coming of a pale, young moon battling with the
+dying ruby of the sun.  So, in the holy of the evening he came to his
+confession, face to face with his sins before the pure eyes of the
+girl he loved.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+The stars were large and vivid above them, like tapers of tall angels
+bent to light a soul's confession up to God.
+
+The beautiful silence that brooded over the plain was broken now and
+again by distant calls of some wild creature, but that only
+emphasized the stillness and the privacy of the night.
+
+The two whose souls were thus come so strangely and unexpectedly into
+a common crisis of their lives sat awed and stricken before the
+appalling irrevocableness of deeds that are past.
+
+Jasper Holt broke the silence at last:
+
+"I was never as bad as they thought I was."  he said in a broken
+voice, though there was no hint in it of attempting to discount his
+blame.  "They laid a lot of things at my door that I never thought of
+doing--some things I would have scorned to do."  His voice was
+haughty now with pride.  "I suppose it was my fault they thought I
+did them.  I _let_ them think so--I grew to glory in their thinking
+so, and sometimes helped it on just for the pleasure of feeling that
+they, through their injustice, were more in the wrong than I.  I
+suppose I had no right to do that.  At least I see now that for--your
+sake--I should have kept my record clear."  He lifted his gray eyes
+in the starlight to her face for one swift look and then went on:
+
+"It was none of their business what I did though, and my theory
+always has been to do as I pleased so long as I lived up to my creed.
+For I had a creed, a kind of religion, if you want to call it that.
+Put into a single word, perhaps nine-tenths of my creed is
+Independence.  What people thought of me didn't come into my scheme
+of life.  I thought it a slavery to bow to public opinion, and
+gloried in my freedom.  It seemed a false principle without cause or
+reason.  You see I never reckoned on your coming.  I thought I was
+living my life just for myself.  I can see now that underneath all
+the falseness of the world's conventionalities there runs some good
+reason, and there may be circumstances where some of the things they
+insist upon are right--even necessary.  This is one.  I never
+considered anything like this.  I couldn't see any reason why I
+should ever need to care what people thought of me, or to go out of
+my way to make them think well of me.  I always relied on something
+else to get me what I wanted, and so far it has not failed.  _They_
+will tell you that.  They will let you know that I have not been
+powerless because some men hated me--for though they have hated me
+they have also feared me----"
+
+The girl turned her eyes, tear-filled, and full of amazement, to look
+at him, studying the fine outline of features against the starlit
+background of the sky.  She could see the power in his face; power
+with gentleness was what she had seen when she first looked at him;
+but Hate!  Fear!  How could men so misjudge him?  What was there
+about him to fear?
+
+He read her thought.
+
+"You don't see how that could be," he said sadly.  "I don't look that
+way to you now.  But wait till you hear them talk.  You'll get
+another view-point.  You won't see me this way at all any more.
+You'll see me with their eyes----"
+
+"_Don't!_" she said with a sob in her voice, putting up her hands as
+if to defend herself from his words.
+
+"I shall not blame you," he said lending tenderly, eagerly toward
+her.  "It will not be your fault.  It will be almost inevitable.  You
+belong with them and not with me, and you cannot help seeing me that
+way when you get with them.  It is a part of my miserable folly.  It
+is my punishment.  I have no right to make you think I am better than
+they believe.  It will be easier for you to forget me if you believe
+what they do----"
+
+"I will never believe what they do!" said the girl vehemently, "I
+will never listen to their opinion!  You may have sinned; you may
+have done a lot of things that you ought not to have done--I am not
+wise to judge those things--but you are _not bad_!  _I know_ you are
+not!  And I know I can trust you!  I shall always trust you no matter
+what anybody says, no matter how things look!  I _know_ you are good
+and true!  _I know you!_"
+
+She put out her hands piteously toward him and her delicate face was
+lifted with determination and intensity.  There was something
+glorious in the sparkle of her eyes.  He took her hands reverently.
+
+"You _dear_!" he breathed tenderly.  "You wonderful woman!"
+
+She caught her breath and her hands trembled in his, but she sat up
+proudly as if she were defying the world in his defence.
+
+"Now, tell me the rest," she said.  "Tell it _all_!  And then I shall
+believe just what you tell me, nothing more!  If they tell me other
+things I shall know they are false.  I shall not be afraid when you
+tell me what you have done because you are here and I can look into
+your eyes and know you are sorry; so tell me the worst.  But you
+needn't ever think I shall listen to them."
+
+So, with her soft small hands in his, and her eyes bright as the
+stars above them, looking straight into his, he looked back as
+straightforwardly and told her.  All the foolishness, the
+stubbornness, and independence.  All the fight against convention and
+law.  His gambling and wild, rough living.  His companioning with men
+who were outlaws and sinners.  His revolutionary methods of dealing
+with those who did not do as he thought they ought, or who tried to
+interfere with him.  His summary punishment of those who stirred his
+soul to wrath.  He told it in low tones and grave, searching out each
+confession of his heart as though he would make a clean sweep of it,
+and lifting his eyes bravely each time to meet the pain he could not
+help seeing in hers.  It was his real judgment, his first sense of
+shame and sorrow and repentance.
+
+And then when it was told he bowed his head in silence for a moment,
+still holding her hands, as though there yet remained something more
+to say.  At last he spoke.
+
+"There's one thing," he said, and he lifted his head with a sigh.
+"Yes--two things, I might say--that I suppose you'll be glad to hear.
+I haven't been a drinking man!  I doubt if many of your friends will
+believe that, for I'm often in the saloons, and with men who drink.
+I haven't noised it abroad that I don't drink, and only those who
+have been with me a good deal and know my ways, understand it.  I
+simply don't drink because I don't want to.  I saw what it did to men
+when I first came out here.  I knew I needed my brains for what I
+wanted to do, and I didn't like the idea of surrendering them for a
+few hours' carouse and putting myself even temporarily out of my own
+control, so I just determined I wouldn't drink and I didn't.  But
+your brother and sister won't believe that.  My reputation is
+understood to be of the worst, and drinking is a matter of course
+when one is hard and wild as they think I am.  There's another thing,
+too.  I've kept away from women.  Some of them hurt me too much when
+I was a kid, and when I grew a little older, and so I decided against
+them all.  That's kept me clean.  I can look you in the eyes and not
+be ashamed.  I didn't do it because I had any idea there would ever
+be one like you in my world.  I did it just because the kind of thing
+that some men liked, turned me sick to think of.  This is probably
+another thing your people wouldn't believe.  They've heard otherwise
+of me.  They've shouldered every crime in the calendar on me.  And
+perhaps they've had some reason from their standpoint.  I haven't
+always tried to make things look right.  I didn't care.  It wasn't
+their business.  There was a girl came to the Valley once with a
+travelling show who was all in.  She was down on her luck and just
+about ready to give up and take her own life.  I helped her out a
+bit, paid for her at the hotel a few days till she got rested, and
+sent her on her way to her father in Missouri; but you ought to have
+heard the rumpus the town raised!  That added to my savory
+reputation, you see.  Well, I'm no saint, but I've kept clean!
+So--there you have the worst of me--and the best--but it's bad
+enough.  Your father wouldn't stand for me a minute, and I guess he's
+right.  I don't blame him.  I blame myself.  As for your sister!
+Why, if Harrington knew I was out here alone with you he'd bring a
+posse of men and shoot me on the spot for daring to bring you home.
+He would.  He feels just that way about me."
+
+"I shall change all that," said Jean with a thrill in her voice, "I
+shall tell them how mistaken they have been in you.  I shall tell
+them that was only a kind of rough outside that you wore--a mask that
+hid your inner feelings.  I shall make them understand that they have
+not known the real man you are at all."
+
+"You cannot do that, little girl," said the man, gently leaning
+toward her.  "It would be best for you not to try.  I tell you you do
+not know in the least what the feeling is against me--
+
+"But you will help to show them, too," said Jean, wide-eyed with
+sorrow.  "You will not go on doing those things--those--well--the
+things that made them feel you were not right----"  She paused in a
+confusion of words, not liking to voice a thought against him.  "You
+will not do so any more?"  She pleaded wistfully like a child.  "You
+will make them see--for my sake if not for your own you will let them
+see how wonderful you are!  How fine you have been to me!  You will
+not let them go on thinking.  _You will change it all?_"
+
+Her voice choked off in a sob and for a moment she dropped her
+tear-wet face down upon his hands that held hers.  The strong man
+thrilled and trembled with her touch and it was then he felt the most
+crucial moment of his punishment.
+
+He sat white and silent for a moment, longing to gather her into his
+arms and comfort her, to crush her to him; but he would not.  The
+nobleness in him held her sacred because he knew he was unworthy.
+Then he spoke in a low, grave tone, and his voice had a hollow,
+hopeless sound.
+
+"I'll change, of course," he said.  "I couldn't do otherwise.  Did
+you think I could go on that way after having known you?  I never
+could do any of the things again that I know you wouldn't like.  I
+couldn't, now that you've trusted me.  I wouldn't _want_ to.  You
+have made everything seem different.  If it'll please you any I'll
+promise anything you like.  But of course I know that doesn't matter
+so far as our ever having each other is concerned.  Nothing I can do
+can make people forget what they think I am.  They would never feel
+differently.  They would feel it a disgrace for you to speak to me.
+They'd always think you'd gone to perdition if you had anything to do
+with me.  I'm not fit for you.  I know it and there's an end of it,
+but I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make myself what I ought
+to have been, if that will comfort you any."
+
+The girl's hands clung now with almost a painful clasp, and tears
+were dropping down her face.
+
+"Don't!  _Don't!_" he pleaded earnestly.  "Don't take it so.  I'm not
+worth it, really I'm not.  You'll find it out when you get to your
+sister's and hear her talk, and--_forget_--about this"--his voice
+broke and he lifted his face, white with sudden realization of what
+that would mean to him.  "Oh, God!  What a fool I have been!"  The
+words were wrung from the depths of his soul.
+
+Then the girl spoke, her voice calm with a suddenly-acquired strength.
+
+"Listen!" she said, and he wondered at her quietness.  "_I shall
+never forget_.  _Never!_  Nothing that anybody can say will ever make
+me think as they do of you.  I _know_ you--and you have saved my
+life."
+
+He stirred impatiently, and almost roughly tried to draw his hands
+away.
+
+"Don't talk of gratitude," he said huskily.
+
+"No," she said firmly, taking his hands again and laying her own
+within them as before.  Then he accepted them as if they were a
+sacred trust, folding his reverently about them.
+
+"I am not talking of gratitude," she said, and her voice was tense
+with feeling.  "You saved my life and I know what you are, and what
+you have done for me.  Nothing can ever change that, not even what
+you have done in the past; and nobody can ever make me feel
+differently about you.  I know you, I trust you--I--_love--you_!"
+Her voice was low and sweet as she said this and she did not lift her
+eyes.  The young man felt her fingers tremble within his own strong
+grasp, and he looked down wonderingly at the slender wrists and
+thrilled with holy awe at her words.  It humbled him, shamed him,
+with a pain that was a solemn joy, to hear her.  And he had nothing
+to say.  What gracious influence had been at work in his behalf that
+miracle so great should have been wrought in a pure girl's heart for
+him; an outlaw--a careless, selfish, wild man who had hitherto lived
+as he pleased, for himself, caring for nobody, nobody caring for him.
+He had held his head high and gone his independent way.  He had held
+the creed that the whole world was against him, and his chief aim in
+life should be to circumvent and annoy that world.  Nothing good and
+holy had ever come into his life before.  Knowledge he had, and a
+certain amount of worldly wisdom learned in a hard school, and well
+learned; but love, care, tenderness, trust, had never been given to
+him even in his babyhood.  No wonder he was confounded at the sudden
+treasure thrust upon him.
+
+"I am only a very young girl," Jean's voice went on.  "I know you are
+right that I must not do anything to distress my father and mother.
+They love me very much and I love them.  You and I can go our
+separate ways if we must, but nobody can hinder me from trusting you.
+It is right I should.  I owe it to you for what you have done for
+me--and my love I could not help giving you.  I know you are going to
+be right and true forever; I know you will not do those things any
+more that have made people think you were not good--I know you will
+always be just what I think you are now, won't you?"
+
+His voice was low and solemn, and his eyes held depths of sincerity
+as he lifted them to her pleading ones and answered:
+
+"I promise you."
+
+"And I promise you that I will trust you always," she said, and thus
+their covenant was made.
+
+For a long moment they sat with clasping hands, unaware of the beauty
+of the evening, aware only of their own two startled, suffering
+spirits, that had found and lost each other and learned the
+consequences of sin.  They did not seem to need words, for each knew
+what was in the other's heart.
+
+He raised her at last to her feet and, bending low, whispered:
+
+"I thank you."
+
+He stood a moment hesitating, then gave her hands one quick pressure
+again and turned away.
+
+"I was going to ask something," he said, "but I guess that isn't
+square."
+
+And she stood pondering what it might have been.
+
+Silently he helped her on the pony and without words they rode away
+into the moonlight.
+
+There were tears in the girl's eyes when she lifted them at last and
+asked:
+
+"And won't I see you at all?  Won't you ever come to the house?"
+
+There was a sound almost of tears in the man's voice as he answered:
+
+"I am afraid not."
+
+After that they talked softly in tones that people use when they are
+about to go apart on a long journey and may not ever meet again.
+Monosyllables, half-finished sentences, of which each knew the
+beginning or the ending without the words.  Large understanding,
+quick pain, wistfulness, longing, a question now and then--this was
+their conversation.
+
+They came at last to the brow of a hill where below them at a gentle
+slope Hawk Valley lay, its lights twinkling among the velvety shadows
+of the night.  In the clear moonlight it seemed so near, so sudden,
+as it lay just below them that Jean caught her breath in a cry that
+was almost a sob.  She knew without being told that the parting of
+their ways had come.  By common consent they checked their horses and
+made them stand side by side.  Holt put out his hand and laid it on
+hers.
+
+"Don't!" he said huskily.  "I won't disappoint you.  No matter what
+anybody tells you, always remember that.  I won't disappoint you!
+You needn't think I've forgotten or changed.  I don't forget the only
+good thing that ever came into my life.  _You can trust me!_"
+
+"I know," she replied softly.  "I know I can trust you.  And I've
+been thinking.  There's no reason why you couldn't come to see me.  I
+don't care what anybody thinks.  You saved my life!  I'm not ashamed
+of you.  I have the right to ask you to call and to receive you.  My
+father would approve of that, I am sure."
+
+"You're wonderful!" he exclaimed intensely.  "You're not like any
+other girl I ever saw.  But, it wouldn't do.  Your father might stand
+for it, but your brother-in-law never would.  He hates me like
+poison, not so much because of my reputation as because I've stood in
+the way of some of his plans.  He would kick me out like a dog if I
+darkened his doors.  You'll understand when you hear them talk.  It
+would be just as well if you didn't say anything about me.  It won't
+be necessary for them to know who brought you home; just say a man
+who was on the train----"
+
+Jean straightened up in her saddle and grasped his hand.
+
+"Indeed I shall tell them who brought me out of death, and just what
+I think of him.  They shall know all that you have done for me.  Do
+you think I would keep still about it?  I couldn't.  It would be
+disloyalty.  It would be cowardly!"
+
+He watched her kindling face and flashing eyes in the moonlight and
+hungrily stored the picture away in his memory.
+
+"Darling!" he breathed reverently, as if the words were drawn from
+his lips in spite of all resolution.  Then, raising his voice a
+trifle, and lifting his head to the night sky:
+
+"I never knew a girl could be like this!  What a fool I have been!"
+The words ended almost in a groan, and for answer the girl drew
+nearer to him and laid her other hand gently upon his.
+
+Lights flashed below them in the village and voices rose; a coarse
+laugh rang out and a child's cry; some people talked in an open
+doorway in another place and called good-night.  Then a door slammed
+and other lights twinkled: just the commonplace noises of life
+jarring in to break a moment of tremendous import in the lives of
+these two.  The time had come to go down to their valley and they
+knew it.  With one lingering hand-clasp they started on down to the
+village.
+
+Holt selected the shadowed ways and quieter approach to the
+Harrington home, and the two rode silently until they came to the
+house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+Holt checked the horses and, dismounting, stood beside Jean in the
+shadow of a great tree by the roadside.  Within ten feet of them the
+light from a wide window streamed out upon the grass in front of a
+pleasant house built in bungalow style, with broad porches and
+vine-clad approaches.  Hammocks and easy rockers were dimly visible,
+with a brighter hint of glow and warmth inside the swaying curtains
+of the window where a piano was sounding pleasantly, and a man and
+woman were sitting on either side of a table under a prettily shaded
+reading lamp.  A boy's voice called down the stairs and the little
+girl at the piano stopped playing and answered him; then tinkled on
+with her music.
+
+All this the two under the tree saw and heard without sensing it.
+They were looking into one another's eyes in the semi-darkness,
+realizing that across that streak of light was separation for them,
+perhaps forever; and that probably this instant here and now was all
+that was left to them together out of the eternity of the future
+years.
+
+Jean put her hands timidly on Holt's shoulders.  "I've been thinking
+what it was you wanted to ask of me," she said so softly that if one
+had been passing it would have seemed but the breathing of the
+evening air.  She waited and Holt looked at her wistfully.
+
+"I have no right," he said.  "It wouldn't be square."
+
+The girl's eyes looked steadily, shyly into his, though in the shadow
+they could see more with the spirit than with the material vision.
+
+"Was it----" she stopped, her heart beating fast.  "Was it--this?"
+
+She leaned forward and kissed him softly on the forehead just where
+the soft curls waved away; and her lips were like a benediction, that
+seemed to bring forgiveness and a purging away of the past.
+
+With bowed head as at a sacrament he stood, then softly said:
+
+"You have understood, and I thank you.  I had no right to ask, but I
+can never forget or be false to that."
+
+He stooped and laid his lips reverently on her hands; then lifted her
+down quickly as if he could not bear to make the sorrow of the
+parting longer; and together they went forward across the patch of
+light, up the path and the wide low steps to the porch.
+
+Holt knocked once on the door, not loudly, but there was in the sound
+a menace that made Jean shudder as she heard it.  She reached out her
+hand to his as if she would take shelter there from something that
+was coming, that she could not quite understand.  Holt pressed her
+fingers quickly, tightly in a clasp that almost hurt her, and then
+dropping her hand, stepped back into the shadow of the vines as the
+tinkling piano stopped.  There was a sound of footsteps coming to the
+door, and of voices in expectation.
+
+The door was flung wide and in the stream of light Mr. and Mrs.
+Harrington stood looking eagerly out into the darkness, with a little
+girl of twelve in a white dress, peering shyly but curiously around
+her mother and a boy of five struggling to get into the centre of the
+family group.  Jean stood alone in the light on the porch, with Holt
+in the shadow at her side.
+
+"I have brought Miss Grayson," said Holt in a grave, almost
+challenging tone, from his dark position just outside the stream of
+light.
+
+But the people in the doorway whose eyes had come from the lighted
+room saw only the figure of the girl standing in the brightness.
+
+"Oh, Jean!  My little sister!  You have come at last!" cried Mrs.
+Harrington, rushing forward to clasp her in her arms, and draw her
+inside the door; and in the confusion of the greetings the girl's
+escort was quite forgotten for the moment.
+
+Within the doorway at last they looked about for him and found no one.
+
+"Why, who came with you, child?  Where has he gone?" asked her
+brother-in-law solicitously.  "We must ask him in and hear all about
+your adventures."  He stepped out on the porch and looked down the
+path in the moonlight, but saw no one anywhere.
+
+"Yes, please ask him in," pleaded Jean, her face illumined with
+eagerness, "he has been so wonderful!  He saved my life.  If it
+hadn't been for him I shouldn't have been here."  And she hurried to
+the door and peered out into the darkness.
+
+"Of course," said her sister, going to the door to look.  "How
+thoughtless of us not to have welcomed him at once, but we were so
+overwhelmed to have you at last, after all the anxiety--you can't
+think how terrible it has been.  Which way could he have gone?
+James, look down the road either way.  He can't be far away.  What
+was his name, Jean?  Can't you call after him?"
+
+"He must be over there."  Jean pointed toward the great tree where
+the horses had stood but a short moment before.  "We dismounted just
+under that tree.  He can't have gone far with two horses--so
+soon----" and she hurried across the grass to the tree, but there was
+no sign of horse or man in the deep shadow or the serene moonlight
+anywhere.
+
+"Call, James!" commanded Mrs. Harrington, and her husband obeyed, but
+no answering call came back, save the echoes of his voice.
+
+"What did you say his name was, Jean?" asked the puzzled householder
+walking slowly back to the steps.  "It seems very strange he could
+get away so soon.  Where was he going?  Did he live near here?  We
+ought to put him up for the night, of course.  It's most mortifying
+to have him disappear in this manner when he has been so good to you.
+He must have gone to find rest and food for his horses and himself.
+I'll send the servant out to look him up.  He'll surely find him.
+What did he look like?  What did you say was his name?"
+
+Jean, slowly climbing the steps to the porch, and comprehending that
+Holt's disappearance had been intentional, answered in a strange low
+voice that tried to be natural:
+
+"Holt, his name was Holt, Jasper Holt----" her voice lingered on the
+words as if she would glorify the man by merely speaking his name,
+and elevate him in their eyes to the place he occupied in her heart.
+
+"Holt!" exclaimed her brother-in-law.  "Holt!  Not Jasper Holt!
+Impossible!  There must be some mistake."
+
+"It couldn't have been Jasper Holt, of course," said his wife quite
+decidedly.  "He isn't capable of saving anybody's life, much less a
+relative of ours, Jean dear.  It _must_ have been some one else.  Are
+you sure about the name?"
+
+"Quite sure!" said Jean composedly, though she felt her whole frame
+trembling.
+
+"Perhaps it was his father," suggested Eleanor, looking at her
+husband.  "Have you ever heard that Jasper Holt had a father living,
+James?  How old a man was he, Jean?"
+
+"He was a young man, Eleanor, tall and handsome, and very brave and
+strong."  Jean's eyes were lifted to meet her sister's smiling doubt,
+and her chin was raised with an attitude of defiance.
+
+"Listen, Eleanor, he was wonderful.  I dropped from the window of the
+burning sleeper into a river, and something struck me on the head
+when I rose and tried to swim."
+
+"You poor, dear little girl!" interpolated Eleanor, reaching out
+yearning arms to clasp her sister again, but Jean held her gently
+back and went on with her eager tale.
+
+"He caught me and dragged me along, helping me as far as I could go,
+and when I couldn't swim any longer he brought me a long distance
+himself to land, and carried me a great ways through the woods.  He
+built a fire, dried his own coat, and put it over me while I slept.
+He took care of me just as my own father might have done; found food,
+water, and a house where we slept the first night; and where we got
+horses.  He has been splendid to me all day."
+
+"Well, he can't be our Jasper Holt, dearie--it's impossible.  He
+isn't a bit like that----"
+
+"Yes," said Jean, looking earnestly, bravely at her sister.  "Yes,
+Eleanor, it is your Jasper Holt.  He told me you did not like him,
+but I'm sure you don't know what he really is--or you couldn't, you
+_couldn't_ possibly think ill of him.  Oh, Eleanor!----" and suddenly
+Jean's courage gave way in a flood of tears and she threw herself in
+her sister's arms.
+
+"You poor, dear little girl!  You are all worn out and we are letting
+you stand here and talk when you ought to be in bed this minute,"
+exclaimed her sister, folding her in loving arms.  "Never mind now,
+dear, you just forget it till to-morrow.  It was an awful experience
+for you to go through all alone with a strange man, and you need a
+lot of rest before you can tell us about it.  Come now, James will
+send the man out to hunt for your escort and you needn't worry any
+more.  We shall find out there is some mistake, I'm sure the Jasper
+Holt we know would never turn out of his way to save anybody's
+life--he'd much rather kill someone--unless he had some evil purpose
+in it.  It's possibly someone who has used his name for fun or
+something.  Come now, Jean dear, take off your hat.  Why, child,
+where did you get this ridiculous rig you have on?  It's good it
+wasn't daylight when you arrived.  It was thoughtful of your escort
+to bring you in the dark.  Your trunk arrived yesterday.  Come up to
+your room and wash while I have your supper put on the table.  I've
+kept it nice and hot for I knew you would be hungry."
+
+Jean suddenly lifted up her head and wiped the tears away.
+
+"I'd like to tell you just a little first, if you please," she said.
+"It's no use whatever for you to send out to find Mr. Holt.  He will
+not come back, I am sure.  I suppose he meant to slip away.  He told
+me before he got here that you would not want him.  He did not want
+me to mention him at all, but I had to tell you how fine he has been."
+
+Mrs. Harrington and her husband stood looking at one another aghast;
+while Jean, her hair dishevelled, her sweet face glowing with
+eagerness, sketched most briefly but forcibly the peril through which
+she had come and the faithfulness and care of her protector.  More
+than one glance of incredulity passed between husband and wife as the
+girl went on with her story; and yet, as she came to her final
+sentences, they perceived that her protector and savior must have
+been the Jasper Holt they knew and despised.
+
+"I guess it was Holt all right!" said Harrington, with an ominous
+frown, "and he did well to disappear like the coward that he is.  He
+knew he was not wanted around here!"
+
+"Coward?" exclaimed Jean, "coward!  Jasper Holt is no coward!  You do
+not know him!"  Her eyes were flashing fire; her whole slender body
+tense with indignation.
+
+Eleanor looked alarmedly at her husband, but tried to smile
+pacifically at her sister.  "Never mind to-night, dear," she said
+soothingly, "he's evidently appeared to you as an angel of light.  He
+is handsome, I must admit--in a kind of a dashing, dreadful way--and
+of course any one who saved you and was kind to you would be under a
+kind of glamour just now.  I'm sure we're grateful to him for not
+letting you drown.  It's quite the unexpected; but really, when it
+comes to bringing you home, you're quite attractive, you know; and
+I've no doubt he thought it would be pleasant to have a little
+flirtation with a pretty girl.  Besides, I think he rather enjoyed
+putting James under an obligation to him.  I'm sure I hope he will
+know enough not to presume upon this for further acquaintance.  He
+has been most unpleasant, not to say criminal, in a business
+way,--but never mind now, Jean, we'll talk about it more tomorrow.
+Wait until you hear what everybody says about him and then you will
+see we are not prejudiced.  We don't blame you for being grateful.
+Be as grateful as you like--but _don't have anything more to do with
+him_!  Come now, this is the way to your room.  Let me help you
+unfasten this ridiculous frock.  Where did you say you got it?  I
+know you never had this in your wardrobe when you started from home
+and mother----"
+
+Mrs. Harrington chattered on, giving the girl time to recover her
+calmness, for she saw that she was terribly excited; and Jean choked
+back the hot tears that welled to her eyes, and the words of protest
+against the injustice to Holt, and went about her toilet.
+
+In a few minutes more she had made a hasty toilet and, attired in one
+of her own cool little muslins, she was seated in the dining-room
+with an admiring audience about her asking questions about home, the
+journey and the cousins she had visited on the way.  The children
+hung about her eagerly, patting her shyly, and watching her every
+move with shining eyes.  Almost, for a few minutes, the girl forgot
+the perils through which she had passed, and the lover of whom she
+must not speak.
+
+When supper was finished the children were sent to bed, and Jean
+suddenly remembered the leather case she had been charged to convey
+to her brother-in-law.
+
+"Oh, James," she said, "I've a package for you; 'very important
+papers' the queer old man who gave it to me said they were.  He was
+going to get off at the next station, he said--he had been
+telegraphed for, or something--and he heard me tell the conductor
+that you had telegraphed for a berth for me, so he asked if I would
+give you these papers at once.  If he knows about the accident, he's
+worrying about his precious bundle by this time, I suspect.  Wait,
+I'll get it.  It's upstairs in my bag."
+
+Jean hurried up to her room and had a little difficulty in finding
+the bag which she finally discovered under a trunk tray.  The sight
+of the little wax paper cups and her own little damp wad of a
+handkerchief she and Holt had both used for a towel that afternoon
+when they washed their hands at a spring, struck a pang to her heart.
+The dampness and stuffed condition of the bag made it difficult to
+get the bundle out, and giving it an impatient jerk she turned the
+whole thing upside down on the little table that stood by the
+bedside.  The bundle rolled to the floor, opening as it fell, for the
+edges of the leather case had loosened with the wetting they had
+received, and let out the papers that it held.  Jean stooped wearily
+and gathered them up with a gingerly touch, remembering the uncouth
+old man who had given it to her, and was rather surprised that the
+papers themselves looked clean and were evenly folded.  She hurried
+down to the bright living-room, holding them out to Mr. Harrington,
+and was startled at the look on his face as he saw what she gave him.
+
+"You needn't be afraid, it's not a ghost," she laughed as she put the
+damp package in his hand.  "It's rather dilapidated, but it's all
+there.  I did the best I could with it, but it was submerged for a
+long time, and I had no opportunity to dry it."
+
+Harrington said nothing, but his face turned suddenly white and his
+hand shook as he turned back the limp leather and looked at the
+folded papers inside.  She saw by his expression that he knew what it
+was.
+
+"Are they so very important?" she asked.
+
+"Pretty important," he said briefly, opening the papers one at a time
+and half turning away from her as if he did not wish her to see them.
+
+"I'm glad I saved them, then," she said fervently.  "I came near
+throwing them away when I dropped out of that window.  The old man
+was so dirty I couldn't bear to have anything he had handled.  Well,
+good-night."
+
+She turned away, feeling that he wished to be alone with the papers,
+but he looked up and called her back.
+
+"Wait, Jean.  What kind of a looking man was it who gave them to you?"
+
+She told him in detail.
+
+"Did you let anyone see this case?" he asked sharply.
+
+"No," said Jean, and then remembered.  "Well, not exactly.  It fell
+out of my bag once and the paper I had wrapped it in fell off, but
+there was no one by but Mr. Holt and he didn't notice it in the
+least."
+
+"Are you sure?" questioned her brother, his face white, his
+expression growing tense with anxiety.  "How near was he?"
+
+"He was standing close by, not three feet away, and he stooped and
+picked up the case and handed it back to me without saying a word,"
+said Jean, a hint almost of indignation in her tone that warned her
+brother he had gone far enough in his inquiries.
+
+"Well, never mind," he said, turning away.  "It's all right, of
+course.  They are very important; papers relating to some business my
+company is carrying on, and Holt has been making a good deal of
+trouble for us.  I would rather he didn't know about them."
+
+Jean was vexed, she scarcely knew why, and stood for an instant
+hesitating.  Should she say more or go immediately upstairs?  It was
+very strange for James to act that way, as if it were her fault.  And
+it was most unreasonable and unjust for him to feel that way about
+Jasper Holt.  Her soul revolted against it.
+
+Harrington looked up, annoyed, as if he would be rid of the girl; and
+then, realizing the look of wonder on her face, he tried to control
+his expression and smile.
+
+"Well, good-night, Jean.  Don't let this trouble you.  I'm deeply
+grateful that you were so faithful as to guard the papers through all
+your experiences.  Rest well and don't think any more about it."
+
+So dismissed, the girl turned slowly and mounted the stairs, but as
+she glanced back she saw him fluttering the papers over as if he were
+counting them two or three times.  As she reached the landing she
+heard him summon a servant and send him in hot haste for someone
+named "Garrett."
+
+"Tell him he must come at once, it is important, urgent business,"
+was the message sent.  Then she closed her door and went about her
+preparations for the night, but her mind was strangely disturbed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+Eleanor Harrington came presently to the door and tapped.
+
+"You're not asleep yet, are you, Jean?" she called.  "James just
+wanted me to ask if there was any possibility that some of those
+papers were lost on the way?  Did they fall or did anything happen
+where one might have slipped out?  He thinks that two most important
+ones are missing."
+
+"Not while they were in my possession, Eleanor," said Jean
+positively, feeling a return of her annoyance at her brother's
+manner.  She opened the door and stood framed in the doorway, looking
+adorable in her little, pale blue kimono, with her hair tumbling
+about her shoulders.  The elder sister fell on her neck and kissed
+her affectionately.
+
+"You poor little girl, how tired you look.  Get to bed quickly.  It
+was a shame to trouble you any more about those horrid papers.
+There, good-night, dear!  This is positively my last appearance," and
+she closed the door and went downstairs.
+
+Five minutes later Jean turned to put out the light and saw, lying on
+the floor on the farther side of the little bed-stand, a slip of
+paper folded once across, and about the size of the wallet which she
+had given her brother-in-law.  She pounced upon it and took it nearer
+the light.  It looked more like an old letter that might have slipped
+from her trunk tray than a business paper.
+
+As she opened the paper the name of Jasper Holt caught her eye, and
+her interest was at once enlisted.  How came a paper bearing that
+name in the guest chamber of her brother's house?  It could not
+possibly have come through her.  Nothing of his could have caught in
+her garments, there was no place for anything to catch, and no way
+that his possessions could get into her bag.  It could not, of
+course, be the missing paper from the wallet, since it bore his hated
+name.  Yet, her brother had spoken of disagreeable business
+relations.  Would this paper, perhaps, by any chance, explain to her
+the animosity that had sprung up between the two men?  She felt she
+had the right to know.  She glanced quickly down the page.
+
+It was a simple contract, the grant of certain water rights to Jasper
+Holt in consideration of payment received, and to the veriest child
+who could read at all it would be patent that the paper must be the
+private property of Jasper Holt himself.  How came it here in the
+house of his enemy?
+
+She read the few lines over many times, until she knew them
+thoroughly; and slowly there grew in her heart a conviction that
+something was wrong somewhere.  Her first impulse, to call her sister
+and consult her, she could not bring herself to follow.  It seemed,
+somehow, that here was something she must think out for herself.
+
+However and whatever her brother and sister felt, _she_ owed a
+loyalty to Jasper Holt.  She might not do a wrong, even
+inadvertently, to him who had saved her life and cared for her so
+tenderly.  If he were here she would unquestioningly have put the
+paper into his hands and asked him what to do about it.  She had
+promised to trust him, and she felt such great confidence in him,
+from what she already knew about him, that she was convinced he would
+send the paper back to Harrington if it belonged to the latter.
+
+But Holt was not here, and the problem of the future was still
+shrouded in difficulty.  Would she ever see him to consult?  Was
+this, perhaps, one of the missing papers James wanted, and why did
+she not trust James to give it back to Holt as quickly as she would
+have trusted Holt to give it to James?  The question brought a look
+of trouble to her brow, and a flush to her cheek.  Did she distrust
+her brother-in-law just a little bit?  Had she always done so without
+knowing it?  Or was it just a prejudice because he seemed not quite
+so fine in his nature as her beloved sister?  Besides, James was
+prejudiced against Holt.  It might be hard for him to be generous and
+true under those circumstances.  Yet her heart rebuked her for the
+thought.
+
+She stood uncertainly holding the bit of paper for a long time and
+finally put out the light and went and sat by the open window, trying
+to clear her mental vision and understand what she ought to do.
+
+Out on the lawn the shadows were dark under the great tree where she
+and Jasper Holt had said good-bye.  She thrilled again as she
+remembered.
+
+The stars were clear and friendly as though they, too, remembered.
+The long stream of light still marked the divide between the shadows
+and the path to the house, for the lamps were burning brightly
+downstairs, though all seemed quiet.  Jean had heard Eleanor come
+upstairs again, and tiptoe softly by her door as if fearing to wake
+her.  She felt almost guilty, sitting there in the dark awake.
+
+The pillows were soft in the great willow, cushioned chair she
+occupied, and the air was sweet that came in from the plains and
+sifted through the lacy shadow-work of vines.  The day had been long
+and full of excitement, and the kindly night wrapped softly about the
+young sweet thing sitting with an angel's problem to decide.  With
+the paper still held tightly in her hand, her head drooped back
+against the chair and she was asleep.
+
+It might have been an hour later that she awoke, the gruff voice of a
+man startling her into consciousness once more:
+
+"That you, Jim?  What's the matter?  It's fierce when one's having
+the time of his life to have to turn and run at a moment's call.
+What's up?  Something pretty stiff or you never would have sent that
+message.  If I find it's any nonsense and squeamishness I'll----"
+
+"Sh----"
+
+The voice suddenly changed into a gruff whisper.  Jean was
+sufficiently awake to realize that the man Harrington had sent for
+was come.  Then she addressed herself to her problem again, and the
+voices in low mumble, gradually rising to distinguishable sentences
+now and then, continued under her window.
+
+She was not conscious of hearing them until suddenly she was startled
+into sharp attention by a name.
+
+"I tell you if Jasper Holt gets onto this in time it will mean
+State's prison at least for us.  It looks bad."  It was Harrington's
+voice that spoke.
+
+"I don't see it that way," said the stranger.  "Holt hasn't got onto
+it, and Holt won't get onto it.  You say the girl said he handed her
+back the wallet and never said a word.  Don't you know Holt would
+never have let his own valuable private papers out of his hand if he
+had suspected in the least that he held them?  You know Holt better
+than that.  Ten to one he was so taken with the girl that he never
+noticed the wallet; and why would he think she had his wallet,
+anyway?  I think it was pretty rare of old man Scathlin to think of
+giving the papers to her.  It threw Holt entirely off the track for
+good.  Now, what we want to do is to get hold of Blount.  He's the
+whole show up there in New York, anyway.  I'll just wire him to come
+on at once and talk it over, and we'll get to work and cut off the
+water supply while little Jasper's training his roses and wondering
+what has become of his perfectly good deeds to his perfectly good
+silver mine."
+
+"But one of the missing papers is the grant of water rights.  If that
+were here we might talk----"
+
+Jean sat up suddenly with bated breath, and her arm hit against the
+hairbrush which, in her excitement of preparing for bed, she had laid
+down upon the window sill.  The hairbrush fell with a sharp noise on
+the polished floor just over the edge of the rug, and the two men in
+the vine-draped porch below started fiercely and looked up, the
+stranger with an oath.
+
+"What's that?"
+
+"Oh, nothing, I guess," said Harrington, his own voice a trifle
+strained.  "Probably my wife has gone in to tuck up the baby and
+dropped something----  Oh, you needn't worry, my sister-in-law is
+fast asleep hours ago.  Her light went out just after I came out here
+to watch for you, and there hasn't been a sound overhead since.  She
+was worn to a frazzle."
+
+"Where is her room.  This window up here?"
+
+"No, just next, but she's asleep, I'm sure."
+
+Harrington rose and stepping off the porch, walked out on the lawn in
+the edge of shadow next the path and looked up.  Jean, huddled back
+against her great window-chair, her face white with excitement, could
+see his attitude as he surveyed the windows and then reassured came
+back to the porch.
+
+"It's all right," he said in a low tone, "but maybe we had better go
+to the other end of the porch.  I was afraid of waking the baby over
+there, and the rascal is a difficult problem when he wakes in the
+night."
+
+"Well, talk lower anyway," said the stranger.  "What did you say the
+other missing paper was?  You have the list of them all, haven't you?"
+
+"Yes, copies.  I wish we'd sent the copies instead of the originals,
+only Scathlin's story about finding them wouldn't have worked then.
+The other lost paper is the claim, with the location of the ore--most
+important.  Strange that those two, the ones on which the others all
+hinge, are gone!  I can't understand.  Do you suppose Scathlin has
+something up his sleeve?  Maybe he kept only those two and means to
+get these later--but what object could he have had?"
+
+There was silence for a moment while the two men thought.
+
+At last Garrett spoke:
+
+"What do you suppose Holt was doing on that train--the same train
+with Scathlin?  Holt didn't leave home till Scathlin had been on his
+way nearly two days.  When was the last we heard from Scathlin?"
+
+"Pittsburgh.  A telegram.  He'd just arrived," answered Harrington
+glumly.
+
+"What day was that?  Could Holt have reached Pittsburgh before
+Scathlin got away?  He's sharp you know.  Have you got the telegram?"
+
+"It's inside," said Harrington.  "Just step in."  And the two men
+went into the house.  Jean could hear their low, troubled voices,
+rumbling on, but she could not hear any more words, and she sat
+shivering over what she had heard.
+
+Scathlin!  Scathlin!  Why was that word so familiar?  Scathlin!  Ah!
+She had heard it from the lips of Holt himself, before she went into
+the sleeper.  It was what he had called the old man.
+
+Was this wrong, this involuntary eavesdropping?  She had not meant to
+listen, had never thought there might be anything said that she would
+understand, or that they would care if she did hear, until the whole
+revelation was in her possession; and then she was too much
+frightened to stir or think what she ought to do.  Was it not right,
+perhaps, that she should have heard; and, yet, what could she do?  It
+was all too evident that Jasper Holt was about to be cheated in some
+way.  That remark about his private papers was unmistakable.  And the
+little paper in her hand that had to do with water rights was his
+also.  Water rights were sacred things in the west, and most
+important.  The losing of them had often been the cause of the
+sweeping away of whole fortunes she knew; and the little bit of paper
+that proved his right was in her trembling hand to bestow where she
+would!  It was plain that if she should go down now and give it to
+those two men she would be most welcome; but she was sure that it
+would not be right for them to have it.  They had admitted enough to
+make her feel that there was some plot against Holt; and suddenly all
+her latent dislike of her brother-in-law, which had been lying
+dormant through the years because there was nothing to rouse it,
+sprang into being.  Her decision was made.  She must somehow get that
+paper to Jasper Holt, and that just as soon as possible.  She must
+not let her brother know that she had it.  If she were mistaken about
+this, Jasper Holt would be true and tell her so and return the paper.
+She felt as sure of him as if she had known him all her life.  But
+there _could_ be no mistake.  It _must_ be his.  The men had
+practically owned it!
+
+It made her shiver with cold to think how dreadful all this was.
+Brought up to strictest integrity, it seemed terrible that one in
+their own family should swerve from it; there must be some other
+explanation to the talk she had heard.  Things in the business world
+were queer, and a lot of shady things were done under the name of
+righteousness.  She had heard her father talk about "graft"; maybe it
+was something like that.  Maybe James thought he was doing good
+service to cut Jasper Holt out of his water right somehow; and maybe,
+in some strange unexplainable way, he was justified.  And yet--what
+did they mean about the location of the silver mine?  Oh, it was too
+much for her!  If she had never known and loved Jasper Holt, and
+trusted him, she would have gone down and put the whole thing in
+James's hands and gone to bed thinking nothing further about it.  But
+now her whole soul was roused to do the right thing toward her lover,
+who, she saw, was under the ban, and who seemed to her to be in the
+right in this case at least.
+
+It occurred to her how easily she might wash her hands of the whole
+matter by dropping that bit of paper out of her window and letting it
+be found or not; as the case might be.  How easy to live sometimes if
+one had no conscience to reckon with--and no heart!
+
+It seemed a long time that she sat trembling by the open window,
+afraid to stir lest the men downstairs should hear her move; unable
+to think connectedly and decide what she ought to do.  But at last
+the two men came out on the piazza, again, the guest apparently about
+to take his leave.  His voice had lost its easy assurance.
+
+"It looks bad!" he said, "very bad!  It looks as if Scathlin had
+bungled things.  If Holt suspects we have anything to do with it,
+why, our fish is dished.  I guess there's nothing else to do but send
+him back those papers, saying that a stranger put them into your
+sister's hands to bring to you, and you know nothing about them, but
+seeing his name among them you suppose they must be his.  You could
+add a word about being grateful for his care of the girl or something
+of the sort to make it look natural."
+
+"But that throws all the responsibility on me," said Harrington
+angrily.  "And it looks mighty funny to have those two important
+papers gone.  These are no use to anybody without those----"
+
+"Of course, but you're not supposed to know that, and he can't do
+anything but bluster.  Anyhow, as far as I see, it's your only
+chance, and you'll have to do it mighty quick or that won't do any
+good.  I wouldn't keep them a day----"
+
+"I shall do nothing of the kind," snarled Harrington.  "I would
+rather destroy them than play into his hand that way.  I'm not in a
+position to throw suspicion on myself in that style."
+
+"Do as you please," said the guest scornfully.  "That's my advice.  I
+wash my hands of it.  If you want to hang on to a lost cause for the
+sake of pride you'll have to do it without me.  I know when to quit."
+
+"But suppose Scathlin returns in a few days with Blount."
+
+"Scathlin won't return with Blount.  You can take my word for that.
+Either Scathlin's dead or he's sold those other two papers to Holt
+and given away our secrets into the bargain.  You may depend on it,
+if Scathlin was all right he'd have telegraphed at intervals as he
+was ordered.  There's some reason why he quit telegraphing at
+Pittsburgh."
+
+Garrett departed noisily, and after a few minutes pacing up and down
+the piazza Harrington went in, put out the lights and went upstairs.
+
+Jean crept softly into bed, still grasping the paper close to her
+breast; and weary, troubled, bewildered, she soon fell fast asleep.
+
+Later, when the moon had died and only the luminous mist in the East
+proclaimed the dawn at hand, a rider came quietly down the road, his
+horse stepping as if with padded feet, and stopped before the house.
+
+The rider dismounted silently in the darkness and with noiseless
+tread came and laid something down in the dewy silence at the door.
+Then mounted and slipped away into the darkness again.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+Down the long silent road beyond the sleeping town the rider passed,
+out to the plains.  His horse knew the trail well, was rested and
+glad to be used.  He stepped away into the gray dawning carrying his
+beloved master with willing feet.  There was no need to hurry him.
+He seemed to know as if by instinct just how fast to travel to arrive
+at the Junction in time for the early morning train.  It was not the
+first time he had journeyed thus at that hour.
+
+The rider sat his horse as one who had entered upon a long quest
+which may not end this side the other world.  There was weariness in
+his attitude, and profound thoughtfulness, with steady determination
+to pursue his way to the end.
+
+Now and then he bent his head and laid his lips on the cool fragrance
+of a great, dim bud stuck carelessly into his buttonhole, its branch
+and thorns and leaves still attached as if it might have been plucked
+from the vine by hasty impulse.  Later, when the day came up and
+houses were in sight, he tore it from its stem and wrapped it quickly
+in his handkerchief to hide away in his pocket.
+
+The stars were paling when he started.  They slipped one by one
+silently into the oblivion of a background of light as he rode, but
+before they left him they spoke many things to his sad, determined
+soul.  Sometimes it almost seemed to him that a girl rode at his side
+and understood his thoughts.
+
+His thoughts were as one would go with lighted lamp and eyes suddenly
+awake to see, through the long unvisited chambers of his soul, and
+find with startled senses the dirt and cobwebs and musty, dusty
+corners, cluttered with moth-eaten garments of a dead past; and,
+searching closer in dark crannies, find the bones of dead things that
+should have lived but for the unwatchful keeper of that house.
+
+The young face lost its boyishness and grew grave and haggard with
+suffering.  Then he laid his lips on the cool flower petals and heard
+again the voice of the girl like music in his soul: "I will trust you
+always, no matter what anybody says!" and it thrilled him and gave
+him courage, so that when morning burst upon the plain and he came in
+sight of the straggling houses surrounding the Junction, he lifted up
+his face to the golden morning sky and breathed aloud solemnly the
+words:
+
+"Oh God!  Help me to keep my vow to her, always, even to the end of
+life!  Help me to be what she believes me to be!  Help me to be
+worthy of her trust!"
+
+With these words upon his lips and the memory of her kiss upon his
+brow he went forward into the new day and the new life that was
+before him.  This duty that was his to-day was by no means a pleasant
+one, and it might be long and hard, but he must do it in a different
+way from that which he would have done it three days before, for
+to-day he was a different creature.  He had seen himself as he was
+before God, and henceforth all things were become new.
+
+He was in time to make all his arrangements to leave the horse before
+the train arrived.  He had chosen to travel across country to the
+Junction rather than to take the train at his home station, partly to
+avoid publicity, and partly to save time, for there was no train from
+Hawk Valley early enough to connect with this Eastern Express which
+stopped at the Junction.  Passengers from Hawk Valley wishing to
+catch this train would be forced to leave the evening before and put
+up at the Junction tavern, a most unpleasant experience for any
+traveller.  Jasper Holt preferred travelling on horseback at all
+times to riding on the railroad, and besides, every minute counted
+now in the errand he was on his way to perform.
+
+All the morning while the train glided over the level plain he was
+going over his recent experience; going back to the moment when the
+girl entered upon his vision and looked at him with that clear,
+direct gaze that trusted him; thinking over every detail of his
+finding her in the darkness and peril; the miracle that he and not
+some other should have found and saved her; recalling every incident
+of the beautiful, wearisome way by which they had gone home together;
+and the wonder of the girl's faith in him, her love for him--his love
+for her.
+
+Any one watching the absorbed, silent man sitting alone, his head
+dropped back against the seat, his hat drawn down over his eyes, the
+lines of gravity deep upon brow and lip and chin, would have judged
+him for a much older man than he was, so maturing had life thus far
+been to him.
+
+And now, the task that was before him was to find Scathlin--if,
+indeed, he were still in the land of the living--or some evidence
+that he was dead; and to know beyond a question of doubt what had
+become of those papers, and just how far Harrington had been
+responsible for the theft.
+
+He loathed his task, yet felt compelled by some inner urging to
+finish it.  Almost his soul revolted to the extent of giving up the
+case and letting his enemies triumph over him.  What to him now was
+his silver mine, since he had found her--and lost her forever?  Why
+not let his property go and leave Hawk Valley forever, where his
+reputation had undone him in his greatest opportunity?  Why not go to
+some new land where he was unknown and begin all over again?
+
+But his soul was too strong and true for that.  He must face his
+mistakes in the place where he had made them and undo, if might be,
+some of the harm he had done.  He had to do this whether he would or
+no.  It was right that he should find his papers and make good his
+claim.  It was a part of the true living he had set himself from this
+time forth.  He had promised to let people see that he was
+trustworthy and this was the first step.  If Harrington and his men
+got their way he would be branded as a thief and a liar again and the
+old reputation only fixed the firmer.
+
+It was toward evening when they passed the scene of the late disaster
+and the long rays of the sun rested over the river and valley where
+peril and death had brooded.  A temporary way had been made for the
+tracks, all signs of death and disaster swept hastily out of sight by
+the wrecking train, and the tide of travel was already rolling calmly
+on again.  A swarm of workmen, like ants carrying grains of sand over
+a wall, were at work on the broken bridge, and the passing traveller
+looked cheerfully across and got no hint of fire and fear and sudden
+death.  Even the trainmen had had their orders and answered gruffly,
+in brief sentences, when questioned about the wreck, turning it off
+lightly as a small thing, until they heard that here was one of the
+almost victims of the accident.  Then they looked sharply a second
+time and stole back to talk in low tones with guarded sentences about
+where the blame should lie.  But no one knew much about the details,
+after all.  The conductor reluctantly admitted that the victims,
+those who had been saved, had been taken to the nearest city and
+distributed among the hospitals.  That was all.  He implied that
+there were many victims who had not even that comfort.
+
+So, on to the nearest city went Jasper Holt, arriving shortly after
+sundown, and began his search among the hospitals at once, after
+having visited the railroad office and got all the information they
+could give him.
+
+Three days and two nights Jasper Holt searched, in hospitals and
+morgue, and even private homes.  Wherever he could learn of a person
+who had been through the accident he went to see if they knew any
+clue to the man he sought, but not a hint did he find.
+
+It was entirely reasonable to suppose that Scathlin had lost his life
+in the fire or the river, and to feel that further search was
+unnecessary.  But Jasper Holt, standing at the window of his hotel
+room and looking out on the busy streets of that Western city toward
+evening of the third day, could not feel it so.  More and more it
+became necessary to find that man, or be sure of his death.  The
+three days of visiting hospitals and viewing suffering and death had
+graven the sad lines even deeper in his fine, strong face.  It began
+to seem now to him that he might even have a duty toward that
+loathsome creature Scathlin, though heaven knows why any such thought
+should have entered his head, seeing he was the injured, not the
+injuring.  But the more he thought about it the more he felt that he
+must search further.
+
+To look any longer in the city was absurd.  He had already covered
+every clue that he had found, and the railroad authorities were
+beginning to grow weary of this assiduous young man with the firm jaw
+and the blue-gray eyes of steel who steadily demanded the missing
+man.  They offered to send him back to the scene of the accident with
+a man to help him, and authority to get assistance from their workmen
+to search the river and vicinity.  This offer Jasper finally accepted
+and the next morning was on his way back.
+
+The last time Holt had seen Scathlin he had not really seen him at
+all, he had merely sensed his presence in the darkness.
+
+They had both been sleeping--Scathlin with the relaxation of one who
+no longer needs to be on the alert, Holt with half his senses on
+guard--when the crash came.  Splintering glass and a rush of cold air
+brought Holt clearly to himself.  The car had been turned on end and
+was sinking, sinking down with creak and groan; and the two men were
+thrown together for a moment into the aisle, clinging to the arms of
+the seats.  Holt had heard the terrible oaths with which Scathlin was
+wont to embroider his speech even on calmer occasions.  They sounded
+now like a challenge to the Almighty.  The younger man had reached
+out a hand in the darkness to strike the other, and had uttered a
+single sentence "Cut that out!" but the profanity continued, and
+Scathlin had struck him a blow blindly across his eyes which
+bewildered him for a second and made the confusion more black and
+terrible.  Then he had been aware that Scathlin was scrambling up
+over the arm of the seat to the window, and was about climbing out.
+The red glow from outside flared up and showed Scathlin's bulk
+against the night, his head and shoulders already out the window, the
+stream of oaths not so distinct now because they were flung to the
+outdoor world.
+
+It was then that he realized that Scathlin was escaping from him and
+he must not let him get away.  Even in such a situation he remembered
+his long quest, and pulling himself up by main force, caught Scathlin
+by the foot.  Suddenly he remembered the curious actions of Scathlin
+the day before, and his fumbling with his shoe-strings afterwards.
+The shoe Holt held in his firm grip was laced and tied in a hard
+knot, but Holt's knife was ready and he cut the string in several
+places.  Scathlin did not stay for shoes.  He left his footgear
+readily in his pursuer's hands and made good his escape, but Holt,
+forgetful of his peril for the moment, searched in the shoe and found
+a folded paper.
+
+It was too dark to tell if the paper were one of those he sought.  He
+put it safely in his pocketbook for further investigation, felt in
+the shoe carefully once more to make sure there was not another, and
+then climbed out of the window after Scathlin.  But when he dropped
+into the melee below he could not see Scathlin anywhere.  There were
+some rocks far below, and down there he had thought he saw a white
+face as he first looked from the window before he leaped, when the
+fire broke out with a flare.  But after he had dropped and found
+himself in the water he could not quite locate the rocks again, and
+while he was searching he saw another victim drop and sink and rise
+again, and he went to her rescue.  So had Scathlin had his wish and
+escaped from the train before they reached the region of Hawk Valley.
+
+Holt and his assistant searched the scene of the wreck until the
+young man was convinced that further search there was useless, and
+sent the man back to the city.  Then he dropped down to the river
+bank and talked with one or two men on the wrecking crew while they
+were waiting for the construction train to come and bear them back to
+their camp, and here for the first time he got a clue.  They had
+found a man down on the rocks with a broken leg a whole day after the
+others had been taken to the city hospital.  Some bushes had hid him
+and no one had noticed him till they heard him groaning and cursing.
+A man who said he had a shack "up a piece" had taken him in his
+wagon.  He had promised to get a doctor and fix the man up.  The man
+himself had begged them to shoot him.  He was almost out of his head
+with suffering.  Their vague description tallied with Scathlin's
+rough appearance and Holt became convinced he had found his man.
+
+Making the best he could out of their indefinite directions, for they
+really had not much idea of the locality of that shack themselves,
+Holt started off in search.
+
+He found Scathlin before nightfall that same day, lying alone and
+moaning with pain and fever in the deserted shack.  The householder
+had gone away at dawn on business, promising a speedy return, but had
+not come back, and Scathlin, his broken bone set rudely by an
+unskilled hand, lay suffering torments.  When Holt pushed the door
+open and looked in he started up with a yell, his eyes protruding in
+fear.  He thought that Holt was dead in the fire of the wreck, and
+this was his spirit come to demand account.
+
+It was only when Holt laid his cool hand on the dirty, crusted brow
+and spoke in his quiet voice of command, that Scathlin settled back,
+the terror still in his eyes, and consented to be still.  He began
+gradually to realize that Holt was there in the flesh, and that not
+for retribution either.  He had not succeeded in escaping his captor.
+He never could do that.  But his captor would not be a tormentor.
+That was plain.  He had heard that Holt was "square" with his men,
+but had never believed it.  Now he had opportunity to judge for
+himself.  And so cunning and contemptible was the creature that when
+he was once assured of the fact that Holt would not strike him when
+he was down, he at once set about to take advantage of it.  It was as
+if he had found a spot of honor wherein Holt was vulnerable, and
+there upon his bed of pain, in his loathsome helplessness, with no
+one to relieve him but Holt, he attacked that one pregnable spot of
+Holt's fortress.  Day and night he moaned and fretted.  Hour after
+hour he demanded this and that, whining like a baby and cursing like
+a demon by turns.
+
+The householder did not return.  It is possible that something ill
+befell him in that lonely plain over which he journeyed skirting the
+desert; it is probable that he had had enough of Scathlin's
+complaints and was glad to escape from his unwelcome guest.  However
+it was; Holt was there alone with him for many days, nursing him as
+tenderly as a woman might have done; bearing with his varying moods;
+washing him, feeding him, cooling his hot forehead.  Only once did
+Scathlin lapse from his role of pampered patient and beg with terror
+and abject humility in his eyes and voice, and that was the day when
+Holt declared his intention of going after a doctor.  Scathlin was
+sure that Holt meant to desert him, and he cried like a baby, swore
+like a mad man, and then pleaded and promised contritely.  But it was
+all of no avail and Holt left him for a few hours, with a supply at
+hand for every need, and went for a doctor.  Scathlin's cries and
+curses followed him as far as he could hear, and something like pity
+came into his heart for the poor, wicked old criminal, so that he
+hastened his steps with all his might.
+
+When he returned four hours later with a gruff but kindly doctor, the
+cunning look came back into the little beady eyes, and the bristly
+old jaw grew stubborn and selfish again.  He saw that Holt's honor
+still held and he meant to get the worth of his money out of him.
+
+The doctor came every few days after that and Scathlin improved
+rapidly, growing more arrogant every day.
+
+Holt went about silently for the most part; nursing the patient,
+cooking his meals--there were a few supplies in the shack and Holt
+had bought more when he went for the doctor; besides there was game
+to be had for the shooting.  There was something about his set, stern
+face even in his gentleness that sometimes shamed Scathlin and
+silenced him for a while.  It was as if his mind was far away on
+higher things, and Scathlin's petty torments did not reach up into
+the rarefied air where he really lived.
+
+Once when he was getting better and sitting up Scathlin attempted a
+story, so vile and low that the devil himself must have originated
+it.  He laughed immoderately as he told it, hoping to break the stern
+sadness of Holt's face, which fairly made him frantic to look at, but
+Holt looked at him with a kind of pity for a second, and then the
+sternness grew terrible.
+
+"Scathlin, cut that out, you beast!" he said, and left the cabin for
+the open air.  It was that day that Holt had a struggle with himself
+to stick to his job.
+
+There was no longer the necessity that brought him.  The papers, the
+rest of them, wherever they were, were surely not here.  Holt had
+gone over every inch of Scathlin's clothes and possessions, and there
+was no place where he could possibly have hid them about the shack
+that Holt had not looked.  He had watched Scathlin by night and by
+day when he did not know he was being watched, and he was convinced
+that Scathlin was no longer protecting any papers of his.  The one
+which he had taken from the toe of Scathlin's shoe had proved to be
+his own and most important.  What Scathlin had done with the rest he
+was not sure, but it was probable that he had given some of them to
+Jean with the wallet which he had, of course, recognized, when he
+picked it up and handed it to her.  It was also possible that the man
+who owned the shack had, by some means, been wheedled into taking the
+papers back to Harrington.  Every circumstance made his speedy return
+to Hawk Valley advisable, and yet here he was chained to this
+helpless, peevish old man, who when he was done with him, would, if
+he could, stab him in the back for all he had done for him.
+
+If anything of all this passed through Jasper Holt's mind as he paced
+up and down alone outside the cabin, he kept it to himself, and it
+made no mark upon his face.  Just as patiently and just as kindly he
+waited on that ungrateful old creature, all the time seeming to live
+himself on a higher plane and breathe a higher air; and the old man
+hated him for it.
+
+And so as the days at last came when the patient could walk about a
+little, the beady old eyes took on new cunning, the grizzly jaw grew
+more set, the whining complaints became more pitiful; and when Holt
+urged that now the time had come when they might go home without harm
+to the mending limb, Scathlin's eyes filled with fear, and he whined
+and begged for just a little longer.  For once more the vision of the
+stark tree against the sky, the swinging body, the retreating backs
+of Holt's strong men, haunted Scathlin's memory; and his terror
+returned with each day of his recovery.
+
+One day when Holt had gone at last to a settlement to procure a wagon
+and some other necessities for the journey, he returned to find the
+cunning old ingrate gone!
+
+At first it seemed only a relief from a disagreeable task, and he
+would have let him go, only again there seemed that inner sense of
+finishing a task which made him go out and search.  For he knew the
+weak leg could not carry the man far, and he felt too that he must
+keep hold of Scathlin and take him back to face what he should find
+awaiting him in Hawk Valley of good or ill.  He might need the old
+man for a witness.
+
+And so he drew him from his crouching shelter, spoke to him firmly,
+and made a compact with him, for he recognized his fear.  That night
+saw the two again on their way to Hawk Valley.  Scathlin was to have
+shelter and food, and work when he was able, but in return he must
+abide by certain rules.  Scathlin, relieved and cunning still,
+promised eagerly, with many mental reservations; and so the
+pilgrimage at last was ended, and Holt was going back--back where the
+girl he loved was staying--the girl he loved, but might not see!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+There had been no fuss made over Jasper Holt when he was born.  They
+handed him an honored name from some fierce old warrior of a
+forebear, relegated him to a fourth-story back nursery with a trained
+nurse, and left him to himself.
+
+His mother paused long enough before returning to her interrupted
+social career to look him over, declare that he had nice eyes and she
+believed his hair was going to curl; then she was swallowed up in the
+world from which she had reluctantly stepped aside.  She had little
+use for a son except to dress him in velvets and Lord Fauntleroy
+collars and make of him a toy to amuse her guests.  Until he reached
+that stage she saw very little of him.
+
+Of his stern father he saw less.  He was immersed in business.  He
+was rich, but what of that?  He had to make more riches to keep the
+social whirl fed.
+
+The baby had a face and form worth noticing, even in his first days.
+The great blue eyes that had attracted his mother's flitting
+attention, could be gray sometimes, and had in them depths of light
+and wisdom that fairly startled his practical nurse.  He had the brow
+of a philosopher, and gold hair rippled around the fine little head
+like a halo.  The old warrior-namesake must have bestowed upon him
+that firm chin beneath the cupid's bow of the lips, and surely an
+angel had lent him that smile!
+
+But as he grew older there came into his eyes a wistfulness that was
+almost pathetic at times.  He was an affectionate child, quite
+embarrassing his cold, reserved nurse with his demonstrations, but
+winning the utmost devotion always from all who had to serve him.
+
+He was not a good boy in the conventional acceptation of the word.
+He sweetly and serenely had his own way in everything from the time
+he could walk and talk.  He would neither eat what he did not like,
+nor wear what he did not fancy.  He did not take kindly to his
+mother's velvets and curls and lace collars.  He always disappeared
+hopelessly when made ready for a dress parade.  He would fight any
+bully on the back street who undertook to cheat the little lame
+newsboy, and he was always trying to take the part of some weak dog
+or child.  He could run down the street with the swiftness of a
+swallow, his pockets full of sharp stones, and hit every electric
+light in the block as he ran, and he was forever taking the blame
+frankly of all the broken windows and looted garden plots in the
+neighborhood.  In these days his acquaintance with his father was
+limited to severe interviews in which stern threats and scathing
+reprimands mingled with a galling sarcasm were dealt abundantly.  It
+was as his clear eyes looked steadily, unafraidly, into the angry
+steel ones of the man that his young face hardened, his warrior-chin
+took a firm set, and the light in his face was deadened by a stab of
+pain.  He was growing wise and losing his faith in the love he had
+taken for granted in both father and mother.  It was at that time
+that he lived mostly upon the street, and companioned with boys of
+the rougher class.  No one but his nurse knew it, and she but seldom.
+She was only too glad to have the time off duty.
+
+It was when they discovered a childish plot in the neighborhood to
+mob the president of a defaulting bank in which the hard-working
+parents of some of his playmates had lost their all, that Jasper was
+taken hold of by the law as leader and financier of the whole
+enterprise.  Bravely, proudly, he took the whole blame, exonerating
+the other boys, and declaring himself instigator of the affair.
+
+His father paid a heavy fine to hush it up and took his son in
+charge.  A merciless whipping was the beginning of that interview
+between them, which the son received like a gentleman.  But when it
+was over he lifted reproachful eyes, steadied his quivering
+warrior-chin and said determinedly: "But all the same, father, I
+think I was right!  That man had been stealing those poor people's
+money!"
+
+The father looked at the little son with the unbroken will and swore!
+He took away the cheap little firearms that the boy had purchased
+with his allowance for himself and the other boys, and he declared
+the allowance should cease until such time as the boy would own to
+his fault and come to his senses.  One isn't just quite sure, but,
+perhaps after all, the removal of his allowance was the very best
+thing that father ever did for his little, lonely son who had begun
+so early to reform the world with a high hand.
+
+Jasper went up to his room and thought.  Then he went out and
+consulted with a newsboy friend of his, and presently he was
+established on a paper route of his own.  For several weeks he sold
+papers till he had enough money to replace his lost revolver.  Then
+he was satisfied and retired from business for the time, but this was
+not his first business venture, and his father began to discover that
+the threat of taking away the allowance had no effect whatever on his
+determined young son.
+
+Yet in spite of his bravery and strength, in spite of his high
+purposes and anarchistic tendencies, there was in the boy's nature a
+great wealth of love and a desire to be loved.  He was, in his
+younger days, forever throwing his arms about his beautiful mother's
+neck and kissing her to her great disgust and the severe detriment of
+her complexion; until finally he became shy about showing his
+affection, and the lines of loneliness and yearning grew deeper about
+the young mouth.
+
+It was the time he ran away that made him sure that no one cared for
+him.
+
+Jasper had been up before the paternal tribunal for some trivial
+offense, and his word had not been taken in explanation, against the
+word of his younger brother--who had arrived on the scene some three
+years later than himself, and through some strange fantasy of
+selfishness was the beloved darling of his mother.
+
+Perry Holt had sharp little effeminate features like his mother's,
+and had been petted and spoiled from the moment his whimsical mother
+first saw him.  If there was any trouble Perry was usually at the
+bottom of it and Jasper was blamed for it, because Jasper was "so
+queer" and "so wild" and "always getting into trouble and doing what
+he ought not to do."  That was the way his mother put it.  And so she
+had ordered Jasper to his father's den for a reprimand for something
+Perry really had done, and Jasper's word was doubted!
+
+He took his punishment silently and went to his room and his bed,
+where he lay motionless staring into the darkness.  If he had been a
+girl he might have sobbed, so hurt was his soul; but being Jasper he
+held back the stinging tears that burned his eyes and stared hard
+into the dark.  At midnight, when the servants were asleep, he arose
+and stole softly from the house before his mother and father had
+returned from some social function they were attending.
+
+He stayed away three days, companioning with waifs who had no homes,
+and then his homesick heart brought him back again with longing to
+see his mother.  He reached the house at early dusk and found his
+mother and Perry getting into the car to ride to the station where
+they were to meet his father and take a pleasure trip to Washington
+for a few days!  They had not even missed him and were going off
+without knowing where he was!  His mother looked at him with disgust
+and told him to go into the house and wash his face, that he "looked
+a perfect fright"; and then the car whirled off and left him gazing
+after his dream of what a mother ought to be.
+
+After that Jasper never expected anything more from his mother or his
+family.  He began to see that life was meant to be a lonely job and
+it "was up to him" how it turned out.  He seemed to grow up and be
+wise beyond his years in that few seconds that he stood gazing after
+the car vanishing in the dusk.
+
+When it was discovered that he was spending most of his time on the
+street in the company of newsboys and working men's sons, he was
+fitted out expensively and sent away to boarding school where he
+began a lively career.  Those who understood him adored him, but they
+were few, and were mostly confined to small boys and the working
+class.  The little boys in the school followed him like flies after
+molasses and obeyed him abjectly.  The teachers dreaded and feared
+and hated him almost to a man, with the exception of now and then a
+woman who had an unusual amount of fine instinct and saw the yearning
+for love in his eyes.
+
+From school to school he went, out of one scrape into another, yet no
+one stopped to enquire what it was all about or to discover that
+almost every trouble he got into was for the sake of someone else, or
+some real principle.  That his efforts at reform were against the
+rules of the school, and could therefore but fail, made no difference
+to him.  He went right on setting things right as far as he could and
+then taking the consequences.  He saw the futility of his efforts and
+sometimes clenched his sturdy fists and thought of the future when he
+should be able to "lick" those unfair teachers who couldn't see that
+they were letting some fellows go scot free who were more to blame
+than the ones who were punished.  Some day he would be bigger than
+they, and then he would back up his protests with a strength that
+could not be gainsaid.  And so he went on fighting bullies who were
+bigger than himself and who did not hesitate to put the whole story
+in a good light for themselves; and taking the consequences in such a
+way that when he left a school the principal had beneath his open
+relief a troubled undertone of smallness, and of feeling that, after
+all, the boy had got the better of him, for there had been the look
+of a conqueror in Jasper's eye as he parted from him at the station.
+
+Somehow he got himself through with his preparatory studies and was
+allowed to pass on.  It surely was not from any great scholastic
+attainments, for he never bothered himself to learn lessons that he
+did not care for, nor to recite them after he had learned them, and
+examinations meant nothing at all to him.  If he chose to take one he
+did so, and then spoiled the whole paper by some erratic tirade of
+his own on some special question; or else took the whole thing as a
+joke.  If he did not choose to take an examination he calmly sat
+through the allotted time intent upon his own thoughts and handed in
+no paper at the close.  His teachers raved and ranted.  They punished
+and they threatened.  But Jasper went calmly on and did as he
+pleased; and strange to say in all that checkered career there were
+but two teachers who understood, the soul with whom they had to deal,
+and could lead him like a lamb by a mere smile or word to do the
+hardest tasks.  For those two he slaved, not because he saw any
+reason in their demands always, but because he desired to please
+them, for they had proved themselves what he called "square."
+
+Nevertheless he had acquired through it all a most marvellous and
+varied amount of knowledge.  Nothing escaped him.  He never forgot
+anything he heard, and the classes through which he had sat,
+perpetrating many of his jokes upon the teachers, had all left their
+impress upon him.  What he had heard the other students recite, that
+he knew.  If you began to quote a line of poetry which had been
+studied in English class he would promptly finish it and, when he
+chose, tell you much about the author.  His teachers would have been
+amazed if they could have heard him.  And often when another fellow
+took a high rank in the class in mathematics it had been Jasper who
+had showed him how to work his problems--problems that he had not
+taken the trouble to work out for himself.
+
+"Why should I?" he once answered a troublesome principal who was
+admonishing him about preparing his lessons, "I get what I need out
+of them, and that's all that's necessary, isn't it?  It's my
+education, isn't it?  My teacher isn't getting any good out of my
+writing out all that junk, is he?  It isn't doing him any good, why
+should I take the trouble?"
+
+And this was his hopeless attitude whenever he had to deal with
+teachers whom he did not reverence.
+
+In college he was much the same, only that it did not matter there so
+much.  There were more men and he was less under authority.  It was
+expected that he should have some independence.  Yet even here he was
+mixed up in a great many of the troubles.  Finally, in his third
+year, his college career came to a sudden and final ending in the
+midst of a disgrace that was not his own, but which he took upon his
+own sturdy shoulders to save another youth who had a widowed mother
+dependent upon him, and must get through college before he could
+support her.  Whether or not his action was justified by the
+following chapters of that weak and careless youth's life is not a
+part of this story to tell.  It may be that Jasper himself learned
+some lessons by the disgrace he took upon himself and the lightness
+with which the real criminal accepted his sacrifice.  However that
+may be, Jasper's mother, by that time an attractive widow, was so
+thoroughly outraged by her son's behavior--she never knew, of course,
+that he himself had not been at fault--that she drove him from his
+home in scorn and contempt.
+
+Hurt to the heart the boy obeyed; too proud to explain; knowing she
+would be but the angrier if she knew the truth; knowing there was no
+mother heart in her for him, nor ever had been.
+
+He went straight to the great, wide, free west, and roamed for a year
+from one place to another restlessly, still expecting some day to
+return when his mother should feel differently.  Then he saw in the
+papers the notice of her marriage to a man he never had liked, and so
+he settled down on the claim he had already taken, and built up
+around his young, lonely life a something which he called home.
+
+Gradually the outcasts of society had been drawn to him for help or
+comfort in dire need and peril from the law; and always he had
+sympathy with any who were without the pale of the respectable world,
+even though in no other way could he feel anything congenial about
+them.  His home came to be the refuge for sinners, and because their
+crimes were many and his hearth was wide, their sins were fastened to
+him in name if not in deed; as when a child he bore the blame for
+others and himself grew strong.
+
+He built them rude dwellings on his land, and some he chose to be his
+trusted ones.  One by one he tested them and found them true to him
+and to his few simple principles of life.  Sternly he ruled them, and
+greatly did they love and reverence their boy leader, and were proud
+to follow him.  If one of them transgressed again he was dealt with
+justly; and once a body swayed and hung stark against the sky in
+justice for a deed of shame.  It was this memory that Scathlin held
+and feared, although it had happened long before he came to take
+refuge from some petty deed of his.  Scathlin had never entered the
+closer brotherhood of men who guarded Holt's own private quarters.
+His place had been upon the outer edge of things.  He was not
+trusted--never had been--and knew he was not trustworthy.  So it was
+that he dreaded going back to those relentless men, who, if they once
+found out that he had robbed their leader of valuable property and
+betrayed him into the hands of an enemy who had long looked with
+hungry eyes at the rich silver mine and abundant water supply that
+were his, would stop at nothing till justice had been done upon his
+contemptible head.  But by that same honor that made men love and
+serve him, old Scathlin knew that Holt had not yet told his men about
+his loss of the wallet, nor whom he suspected.
+
+This was Jasper Holt, and this his story up to the time that he met
+Jean and laid his roses at her threshold.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+It was late when Jean awoke.  The household had been quiet on her
+account, and breakfast was delayed.  Jean came down white with her
+vigil, but sweet and smiling notwithstanding.
+
+The morning had brought clear vision and she was sure now that the
+paper in her possession must be given to Holt and no other.  She had
+settled so much and would await her opportunity.  This decided, her
+mind was at peace, and she entered the dining-room with a smile of
+greeting for everyone.
+
+Late as it was, the master of the house had not yet appeared and the
+family stood about waiting for him.  But as Jean entered the servant
+came in from an opposite door with his arms full of roses, and stood
+before her.
+
+Such roses!  Jean had never seen such wealth of beauty, such
+luxuriance of coloring.  They all exclaimed in wonder over them!
+Clear golden-yellow with a deep, rosy tint at heart like liquid
+rubies spilled into them.  Great heavy-headed buds and full blown
+roses in abundance, many of them still on the trailing vines, as if
+they had been plucked with ruthless hand to offer to a queen; their
+fragrance filled the room like a burst of incense from some oriental
+shrine.  The servant laid them in her arms as though he were offering
+her a crown and sceptre.
+
+"How wonderful!" murmured the girl, receiving them and laying her
+face reverently down to their exquisite beauty.  "Where did they come
+from?  Are they mine?  Do they grow here?"
+
+"I found them at the door, Miss," said the man respectfully.
+"There's only a card with your name."
+
+"Why, how strange!" said Mrs. Harrington, stepping forward to inspect
+the card.  "Who could have sent them?  I have told a number of the
+young men about your coming, and they are all eager to see you; but
+it's strange that whoever sent these beautiful roses shouldn't have
+given his name.  They are wonderfully rare.  Somebody must have
+squandered his month's earnings on them.  They couldn't have been
+bought around here.  I suppose they came from some florist a long way
+off."
+
+The discreet servant narrowed his eyes and turned away suddenly as he
+saw his master enter.
+
+"Just look here, James, what beautiful roses someone has sent Jean!
+Wasn't that lovely of him, whoever he is?  They were at the door when
+John opened it this morning, and no name on them!  Who do you suppose
+could have sent them?  Stockton Holmes, or Gartney Fowler, or even
+Captain Wetherill, perhaps?"
+
+But the master of the house glanced sharply at the roses and a frown
+came between his brows.
+
+"There's only one place around here where roses like that grow," he
+announced ominously.
+
+His wife looked at him with a frightened expression.
+
+"You don't mean----?"
+
+"Yes," said Harrington.  "They're Holt's Golden Sunset!"
+
+There was an ominous silence as the husband and wife looked at each
+other.  Then Mrs. Harrington turned to her sister, who stood behind
+her roses with an exquisite flush on her cheeks and a soft, burning
+light of battle in her eyes.
+
+"Jean, did you know where they came from?" her sister asked, almost
+haughtily.
+
+But Jean's lovely face showed no sign of intimidation as she raised
+it, gravely sweet, from the roses which she held as she might have
+held a little child.
+
+"I thought perhaps Mr. Holt sent them," she said simply.  "He told me
+about his roses.  But excuse me just a minute till I put them in
+water.  I won't keep you waiting."
+
+When Jean returned after laying her roses tenderly in the wash-bowl
+in her room and bending to touch her lips to their petals, there was
+no look on her face as if anything unusual had passed except a kind
+of glorified light in her eyes.  She began at once to give her sister
+a message from their mother, tactfully ignoring the flowers and their
+donor.  But Harrington's set look did not relax during the entire
+meal.
+
+After breakfast there was the whole place to be seen; the garden, the
+horses, the rabbits, and the new lawn-tennis court, the only one in
+town, where the young officers from the Fort came down to play
+sometimes.
+
+The children came out of their shyness and adopted their new relative
+ecstatically, monopolizingly.  They drew her down on the garden seat
+and plied her with questions, and they chattered away happily,
+feeling her hair, touching her cheek softly now and then, playing
+with the ribbons at her throat.
+
+"Papa's awfully angry that Jasper Holt brought you home," confided
+Betty.  "I heard him tell mamma he'd rather have lost fifty thousand
+dollars than had it happen."
+
+The color stole into Jean's cheeks and a flash came in her eyes, but
+she tried to control herself.  She did not want to discuss this
+matter with the children, and yet she felt that she must be true to
+the man who had saved her life.
+
+"Mr. Holt was very kind to me, Betty," she said quietly.  "I'm sorry
+he is not a friend of your papa's.  If he hadn't taken care of me I
+would probably have drowned, and I'm sure I never would have got
+safely here.  He was wonderful!"
+
+"Jasper Holt's a bad, wicked man," said Jamie, looking at her with
+round eyes and a frown that was a very good imitation of his
+father's.  "He-he-he _hanged_ a man once!  On a _tree_!  Yes, he
+_did_!  Tied a string around his neck and hung him up hard till he
+died!  He's a _nawful_ bad man.  Nicky Deens told me that.  My mamma
+don't know he told me.  Nicky said not to tell.  But Nicky Deens saw
+the tree once when he went with his papa out to the desert riding,
+and he heard the men tell all about it.  They didn't know he heard
+it, but he _did_."
+
+"I don't think much of a little boy that tells you not to tell your
+mother things," said Jean in a choking voice.  "I don't believe I
+shall like Nicky Deens."
+
+"Oh, you will," said Jamie in distress for his friend.  "He's a
+_nawful_ nice boy.  He can ride a horse just like his papa----" and
+Jamie launched into a description of the prowess of Nicky Deens, but
+Jean, although she tried to smile, was not listening.  Her heart was
+in a tumult and her eyes were full of fire and indignation.  Jasper
+had told her about that man who hung on the tree.  She knew the whole
+story with all its circumstances, and she knew that Nicky Deens had
+heard a false account of the affair.  Suddenly she turned on her
+astonished young nephew and spoke:
+
+"Jamie," she said looking earnestly into his big, blue eyes, "Jamie,
+I want to tell you something.  That story you heard about Mr. Holt is
+not true.  He is not a bad man.  People don't know.  He is good and
+kind, and he has been Auntie Jean's friend.  It isn't right nor fair
+for you to listen to stories about him.  Little boys like Nicky Deens
+don't know about things always, and maybe they don't mean to tell
+what isn't true, but if you love Auntie Jean and believe she tells
+you what is true you will not let anybody say bad things any more
+about Mr. Holt.  It isn't necessary for you to talk about it at all
+if your papa doesn't like Mr. Holt, but you don't need to listen to
+unpleasant things about him.  People have not understood Mr. Holt, or
+they would not have talked that way."
+
+Jamie looked at her with round, wondering eyes, and his paternal
+frown grew.  He did not like to have his thrilling story spoiled by
+being told it was not true, but then, this new aunt had pretty eyes
+and a smile that was good.  Besides, she had promised to tell him a
+story, so, with mental reservations, he said:
+
+"Aw right, I won't!" and sighed to relinquish this choice bit of
+gossip, even during the period of his aunt's stay.
+
+It was a relief to Jean that her sister came just then and sent the
+children off to play, sitting down for a real visit about home and
+their dear ones.
+
+Finally there came a pause in their conversation about home and the
+two sisters looked at each other contentedly, glad to be together
+again after the long separation.
+
+"Jean, dear," said Eleanor eagerly, "I hope you're going to have a
+lovely time while you're here.  I've told every man in the region
+about you and they are dying to call on you.  I don't know how many
+have tried to bribe me to let them be first.  There are no end of
+charming young fellows here.  The Post being so near brings some of
+them, you know, and they love to come over to our house and get a
+real home meal and a glimpse of something like what they are used to.
+There's Charlie Evans, you'll like him I know.  He's quite
+serious--thought of studying for the ministry at one time, but I
+understand he began to be rather skeptical and gave it up.  You'll be
+just the one to do a little missionary work on him.  You have great
+talents in that direction I remember.  Mother has been telling me
+what wonders you've worked in your Sunday School class at the
+mission.  And there's Freeman Thorne, he's grave and serious enough
+to suit your solemnest mood; and there are scores of others.  You'll
+have flowers and invitations, more than you can attend to, pretty
+soon.  We've lots of plans made already to help you have a good time.
+But I want to give you a little warning, dear."  A kind of constraint
+came in her voice.  "Don't speak about Jasper Holt unless you have
+to, and then the very briefest word.  He isn't in good repute at all,
+indeed, he isn't!  I understand how grateful you feel, of course; you
+weren't in a position to judge what kind of a fellow he was.  I don't
+suppose one's manners would show up very badly in the woods when two
+people had been drowning and barely escaped with their lives.  People
+don't think of manners at such a time----"
+
+"Eleanor, he was a perfect gentleman," put in Jean indignantly.
+"There were lots of chances to show unrefinement, and he was a
+_perfect gentleman_ every time.  You don't understand, Eleanor."
+
+"Well, now dear, you'll have to trust me a little.  I know just what
+he is, _a bad man_--a really _bad_ young man!  Papa wouldn't have
+your name mixed up with his for _anything in the world_!  I know you
+can't be convinced, just now, because you've come through an unusual
+experience together, and I'm sure I'm glad if he was half decent--it
+wasn't to be expected--though it's what I've always claimed, that a
+really nice girl always has the upper hand of a man, even a bad man,
+and he dare not be rude to her.  Then, of course, it was quite
+thoughtful of him to leave those roses the way he did and go away
+without any message.  I'll give him credit for that.  But it was most
+unfortunate that he should have been the one to save you!  Papa would
+not at all approve of your having anything more to do with him
+whatever."
+
+"That is just what he said," said Jean quietly.
+
+"What _he_ said!" exclaimed her sister.  "Really!  Then he does
+realize a little what people think of him!  Well, that is a
+commendable attitude, of course, and if you think it necessary, you
+might write a formal little note, very brief, and thank him for
+bringing you home, but make him understand that he is not to
+presume--or, if you prefer, I might do it for you.  On second thought
+I think mamma would prefer that I----"
+
+"It is not in the least necessary, Eleanor; I have thanked Mr. Holt
+already, and he understands perfectly that it would not be agreeable
+to you to have him come here.  You said you had sewing to do, don't
+you want me to help you with something?  I'd love to."
+
+There was a dignity in the set of the head and the firm curve of lip
+that made Mrs. Harrington survey her young sister with wonder and
+silence as they arose and went toward the house.  The way Jean had
+set aside the topic of young Holt was masterly.  Mrs. Harrington had
+not said nearly all she meant to say on the subject, but somehow she
+did not see the way clear to open the subject again at present.  She
+looked at Jean uneasily from time to time as they sat together in the
+house, or went about from room to room, flying from one topic to
+another as people will do who have been long separated.  Three
+distinct times did Mrs. Harrington essay to give an extended
+dissertation on the evil deeds and reputation of Jasper Holt, and
+each time the subject was as summarily closed, and quietly set aside
+by Jean as if she had no interest whatever in the young man.  It gave
+the woman almost an uncanny feeling, and actually disturbed her
+seriously, so that she was threatened with one of her nervous
+headaches; and after lunch, having had to confess to her husband that
+she had made no headway in doing his bidding about enlightening her
+sister with regard to his enemy, she retired to her darkened room to
+sleep.  Jean, glad of escape to quiet, fled to her roses.
+
+Broodingly, as a mother would touch her little child while it sleeps,
+Jean hovered over those flowers.  The door was locked safe from
+intrusion, and the children sent to a neighbor's that the house might
+be quiet.  She drew the little table near the great window chair, and
+placed the bowl of roses upon it.
+
+They filled the bowl, lying heavy-headed in great sheaves over its
+rim on their cool, luscious leaves, those leaves of that peculiar
+green touched with burnt sienna on tips and veins, that speak of a
+high state of cultivation, and rare stock.  She laid her cheek
+against the cool yellow of the flowers, then her lips, then her
+closed eyelids, while she let her thoughts rove back to the yesterday
+and the time when their giver had been at her side; the words he had
+spoken, the way he had looked, the sound of his voice, and the firm
+clasp of his hand.  It all rushed over her in a tumult of joy and
+sorrow.  This was the man she knew, so kind, so tender, so strong, so
+true; and that other was the one they thought he was!  She could
+never feel that way about him no matter what people told her, for she
+had seen what they had not.  If they had been there in her place and
+he had been that strong companion and friend they might have
+understood.  She would, of course, respect their wishes, and not do
+anything to trouble those who loved her; but she would trust him
+always.
+
+And now there stirred in her mind the remembrance of that paper, the
+disposition of which she must decide at once.  How should she get it
+to him?  It would not do to send for him.  He could not, probably
+would not, come if she did.  Even a letter which did not explain too
+much would be a difficult thing to manage, at least until she knew
+the way to the post-office and could mail it herself.  If it were
+carried by a servant or a member of the family it might be subject to
+inspection.  Yet the paper ought to go to him at once.  Still, of
+course, in her keeping it was at least out of his enemies' hands, if
+enemies they were, these dear people of her own family.  Oh, why were
+things at once so bitter and so sweet in this hard, bright world?
+She buried her face in the roses again and let their sweetness rush
+over her.  As she did so a slight rustling sound startled her, and
+when she lifted up her face and then pressed it close again she heard
+it once more.  Curious, with a wild fleeting hope floating through
+her brain, she sat up and began to touch the buds and blossoms
+softly, eagerly, searchingly with her fingers.  Yes, there it was,
+that sound of crackling paper!
+
+She folded back the petals of the largest bud, and there, laid deftly
+in like another flower-leaf, she found a tiny bit of folded paper.
+Eagerly she took it out and opened it, for it was very thin and
+folded close, and there was writing, small and fine, but boldly,
+distinctly clear:
+
+"I have to go away.  For how long I do not know.  I shall not forget
+my promise.  You may trust me.  I hope you have a happy time."
+
+The tears were in her eyes as she read the brief message over and
+over again, and laid her lips upon it.  Bright drops fell upon the
+roses and stood like dew drops.
+
+She searched the other blossoms carefully, but there were no more
+messages, and she had known there would not be.  He would not think
+it "square" to write more of the things that were in his heart, and
+she loved him the more for his sense of honor toward her.
+
+Then she remembered the water contract.
+
+Now, what should she do with the paper?  She could not give it to him
+while he was away.  It might await his return and be lost if she
+trusted it to the mail.  She must wait for a few days and see if he
+came back; and meantime she would listen and watch as far as it lay
+in her power, that no harm came near his rights.  If worst came to
+worst she would confide in her father.  He was wise, and he would
+understand.  He would feel as she did about this matter if he knew
+all.  The difficulty would be to make him know all through the medium
+of a mere letter.  But for the present she would wait.
+
+A sense of desolation settled down upon her when she realized that
+Holt was gone away; yet she was at peace about it.  At least she need
+not always be fearing lest her relatives should be unpleasant to him,
+or that embarrassing circumstances might arise where she would be
+obliged to choose between her sense of loyalty to her lover and her
+sense of loyalty to her relatives in whose home she was a guest.  But
+for a little time she put away these thoughts and let her happy heart
+dwell on the fact that he had sent these glorious roses with their
+secret message; and finally she lay down for a rest and slept, with
+one great yellow bud nestled against her cheek.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+The days which followed fulfilled all Mrs. Harrington's prophecies so
+far as gaiety was concerned.  One round of pleasure succeeded
+another.  The days were filled with picnics and rides and the
+evenings with merry makings of all descriptions at all the houses in
+the region round about Hawk Valley.  There were not wanting many
+young officers and others who were eager to teach the sweet young
+stranger from the east to ride.  Horses especially trained and
+gentled for her use were brought as offerings at her shrine, and
+flowers from near and far were sent to her.  The Harrington children
+were in danger of becoming chronic dyspeptics on the surplus of the
+confections with which she was constantly supplied; and there was no
+opportunity for her to become lonely or morbid as the summer days
+sped by in a round of pleasure.
+
+Yet through it all Jean moved, lovely and serene as a summer morning.
+
+"She acts as if she had been in society for years," complained
+Eleanor to her husband.  "Nothing moves her out of her quiet dignity.
+She doesn't gush or become enthusiastic at anybody.  The sky and the
+flowers and the children please her more than all the adulation she
+receives.  One would almost judge her engaged or married already.  I
+wonder if it can be there is a sweetheart at home that we don't know
+about.  I must write and ask mamma.  I can't make it out.  I thought
+Captain Hawthorne would surely make an impression, he has such
+charming manners, and is so deferential to women; but she looked at
+him to-day with that sweet far-away expression, exactly as she might
+have looked at her grandfather.  Of course it made him desperately
+determined to get her attention, but she never seemed to know nor
+care.  One would almost think it was a studied pose to get as many at
+her feet as possible, if one didn't know Jean better."
+
+"Did you ever think that perhaps her thoughts are with that scoundrel
+Holt?" her husband asked.
+
+"Nonsense!" said his wife sharply.  "She never mentions him.  She has
+forgotten all about him.  I think she was extremely annoyed at our
+making so much of his bringing her home."
+
+"Well, don't you be too sure.  I wonder where the deuce he is.  I'll
+be willing to bet he's up to some mischief."'
+
+"Don't worry," said his wife, "I'm only too glad he's taken himself
+away.  I hope he'll keep hidden until Jean is safely home again so we
+won't be annoyed."
+
+"I hope he'll come back and let us see what he's up to," growled her
+husband as she left the room.
+
+And at last one day shortly before Jean was to return to her father's
+house, Holt came back.
+
+With him appeared Scathlin, riding into town daily, side by side with
+the younger man, on one of Holt's horses; looking older, with a
+sheepish expression and a shifty eye that failed to meet men's gaze.
+It was rumored that Holt had found him with a broken leg, nursed him
+into strength again and brought him home.  Those who knew Scathlin
+felt that Holt's power over him was more than that of gratitude.
+
+It happened that Jean was riding with the Captain one morning when
+they came down to the post-office together, and the glad smile with
+which she greeted Holt was followed by a frightened expression as she
+recognized Scathlin.  Her escort was so astonished at having to lift
+his hat to Holt that he failed to notice her startled glance.
+
+No one could have told by Holt's grave bow that he was meeting the
+one of all the earth to him.  Only the light in his eyes told of his
+joy in seeing her once more, and reassured the girl as she glanced
+from Scathlin back to his own face.  It was Captain Hawthorne's
+annoyed drawl that recalled her to the present out of the whirl of
+joy that the sight of Holt brought.
+
+"Where in the world did you ever meet that scoundrel that he should
+presume to speak to you?"
+
+A flush of indignation rose to her cheeks, her chin tilted just the
+slightest bit haughtily, and her eyes held a dangerous light in them.
+
+"Excuse me, Captain Hawthorne, Mr. Holt is my friend.  He did me the
+greatest service one can do for another.  He saved my life."
+
+"I beg your pardon, Miss Grayson, I didn't mean to offend you.  That
+alters the case of course.  One is always grateful for one's life,
+and may thank even a dog.  You can afford to be generous, sometimes,
+but have a care!  You do not know Holt!  It's the only good thing I
+ever heard of him, that he saved your life.  I would it had been my
+privilege instead of his."
+
+"Thank you, Captain Hawthorne," Jean spoke frigidly, "but you
+misunderstand me.  I am not speaking to Mr. Holt because I am
+grateful or generous, but because I honor and trust him as a friend."
+
+"You do not know him, Miss Grayson.  He is not a man whom anyone
+trusts."
+
+"It is you who do not know him, Captain Hawthorne.  I know him better
+than you, and I trust him entirely.  During our terrible experience
+together at the time of the wreck I had ample opportunity to test Mr.
+Holt, and I found him a gentleman and a true friend in every trying
+situation."
+
+And now indeed Jean's tone was unmistakable, and the alarmed Captain,
+who had congratulated himself that he was making pretty good headway
+with the fair lady, made hasty apologies.
+
+"I beg your pardon, of course," he said humbly.  "I'm sure I'm glad
+to hear that he behaved decently.  To tell you the truth I don't know
+much personally about Holt.  I've only taken what others say; and
+I've always thought his reckless appearance bore out their
+insinuations.  Forgive me if I have annoyed you, and try to forget
+what I've said.  This day is perfect and the road is particularly
+fine.  Shall we try a gallop?"
+
+Jean was glad of the relief from conversation, and kept her horse on
+a wild gait the most of the way; for her mind was in a tumult.  How
+was she to get that paper to Holt and what should she say in
+explanation of its being in her possession?  The question had been
+much in her mind during Holt's absence, and she had been unable to
+decide just what she should do when he returned, but now it must be
+decided at once, for there ought to be no delay about the paper.  The
+sinister look in the faded blue eye of Scathlin as he looked at her
+made her fear to keep it in her possession any longer.
+
+The ride at last was ended.  It had not been a very great success
+from the Captain's point of view and he went away dejected, while
+Jean hurried to her room and tried to plan what to do.  The sight of
+Scathlin worried her.  If the old man knew what papers the wallet had
+contained he probably knew the significance of each.  The
+conversation she had overheard seemed to include him in the plot, if
+plot there was, against Holt.  Of course, since he had returned, he
+would seek out the other two men and explain why he had sent the
+wallet; and perhaps he had the other missing paper himself, the one
+that contained valuable information about the location of ore.  It
+was even possible that he knew already that she, his unwilling
+messenger, had the water contract.  He must have known it was in the
+wallet when he gave it to her and it would be entirely natural for
+him to think she had taken it out.  Something in the gleam of his eye
+as he looked at her had made her tremble; and she longed to fly
+straight to Holt and give him the paper frankly and openly, but it
+was a matter that could not be handled openly, and she was not a
+diplomat, therefore she trembled.
+
+Finally, after careful thought, and much writing and tearing up of
+what she had written she framed a brief note to Holt.
+
+On the morning that she mailed it Scathlin happened to be in the
+village.
+
+Holt had gone away very early in the morning, on a matter of
+business, leaving word that he might not return until the next day,
+and Scathlin felt like a prisoner let out of jail.  It was his first
+opportunity to go about without Holt's eyes upon him.  True, he was
+under oath to do and not to do certain things, with penalty of a
+judgment which he knew would not be light.  Yet his natural cunning
+found many ways to carry on his schemes without violating the letter
+of his contract with Holt.  He knew that Holt had brought him there
+as a witness against his enemies in the case of the stolen papers--he
+knew this, though Holt had said no word of it to him--and he knew
+that Holt would watch him closely--that he probably had him under
+espionage even during this brief absence; yet he longed to outwit his
+keeper and get the better of him.  If it only had not been for the
+loss of that water contract his way would have been plain.  He had
+already managed an interview with Harrington and learned the facts
+without revealing all the facts in his own possession.  He professed
+to Harrington that all the original papers were in the wallet when he
+gave it to the girl, and that it had been his only hope of saving
+them from Holt.  That Holt had managed to save the girl and bring her
+home only proved that he was as hard to get away from as the devil
+himself.  This explanation Scathlin devised while he listened to
+Harrington's story, secretly realizing, with bitterness, his own
+blunder in leaving the water contract in the wallet.  His excuse was
+that he had no time to take out another paper and secrete it safely
+before Holt saw him.
+
+Might and day Scathlin worried over that water contract, coming
+always back to the conclusion that Holt must have it or know where it
+was; and he had searched every available hiding place in Holt's house
+for it, but failed as yet to discover it.  When they met Jean riding,
+the old man had noted carefully the expression on his companion's
+face as he touched his hat to her, and the lighting up of the girl's
+face.  His keen little eyes searched, and found an idea.
+
+Therefore, that first morning of his freedom from Holt, when he sat
+on the curbstone with one of the men from the Divide, talking over
+the latest cattle stealing, his eye took in with keen interest the
+figure of Jean coming down the street accompanied by her little
+niece, a bundle of letters in her hand to be mailed.  He watched her
+furtively as she passed him, though she did not see him, and as soon
+as she was inside the post-office door he got up hurriedly and
+followed her, professing that he had an errand.
+
+He watched her slipping her letters one by one into the post box, and
+kept his eye upon her as she turned and went out again.
+
+He made a small purchase at the counter on the other side of the
+post-office room, and went out, but an hour later, when he returned
+that way, the postmaster leaned from his window and called him.
+"Hey, there, Scathlin, goin' up home?  Here's a letter fer Holt."
+
+Scathlin, wary as any fox, concealed the start he almost gave, and
+turned with indifference.
+
+"'Spose I might's well take it," he said, and receiving the letter,
+went on his way toward home.
+
+The way was long and bright and hot, and Scathlin was not feeling up
+to a hard walk yet after his weeks in bed; but he managed it in an
+incredibly short space of time, and as he walked he studied that
+letter.
+
+It was dainty and white, the writing unmistakably feminine, and
+mailed in Hawk Valley.  Scathlin's imagination stirred within him,
+and he was almost sure he needed to know what was in that letter.  He
+held it up to the light but nothing was revealed.  He tried to pry
+open a corner of the flap that was not closely sealed, and squint in,
+but not a glimpse of writing was visible.  He went home, laid it on
+the desk in Holt's office and sat down to watch it and think.  Then
+just before the return for dinner of the other two men who were about
+the place he quietly put it in his pocket.  He preferred to think
+about that letter awhile longer before any one else saw it.  When
+they came in Scathlin had the fire going and a fine steam ascending
+from the tea-kettle, an unusual attention on his part toward other
+members of his group, unless he was pressed to service.
+
+But Scathlin had exhausted his capacity for work with putting on the
+teakettle, for he sat dreamily meditating in a chair tilted back
+against the wall, his feet on the rounds, a straw in his mouth, and
+his eyes narrow and gleaming.
+
+"Dear friend: I have something that I am sure belongs to you.  Is it
+safe for me to send it to you through the mail?  I think it must be
+valuable.  Please let me know quickly for I am going home in a few
+days."
+
+Those were the magic words the steam had revealed to Scathlin, and on
+which he meditated with his eyes half closed while his companions
+scornfully cooked the corn bread and bacon and cursed him for a lazy
+good-for-nothing.  He continued his meditations unmoved until the men
+had eaten and were gone on their way.  When they were out of sight he
+arose with alacrity and prepared a hasty meal, keeping his eye on the
+clock.  He ate hurriedly, cleaned and loaded a pistol which he took
+from a hiding place behind a loose brick of the chimney, and went out
+the back door toward the woods.
+
+About the same time Jean Grayson mounted the pony that had been set
+aside for her use while in Hawk Valley, and started out for her daily
+call on an old lady who had taken a great fancy to her, because of
+her likeness to a daughter long since dead.  She was fond of the
+sweet old lady, and found her quiet little home a refuge from the
+round of society that sometimes became almost oppressive at her
+sister's house.  She had discovered that she could avoid certain
+annoyingly frequent callers by being thus absent a little while, and
+especially during the last two weeks she had made this pleasant
+pilgrimage almost every day.  Perhaps a part of the pleasantness of
+the trip was in the fact that the road lay back of Holt's land, and
+his house, though almost a mile from where she had to pass, was
+plainly to be seen at one high point on the road, as it stood boldly
+against the sky, its wide verandas shrouded in rose vines.
+
+Jean never ventured on the road that led past the house itself, for
+it was off the general highway; but she had often longed to see the
+spot where he lived at closer range.
+
+As she rode along she mused about the letter she had written and
+whether that had been the right way and the only way to do about
+getting the paper into the hands of its owner.
+
+She had once heard a great speaker say that there was never a
+situation where there was not a right thing to do next.  She felt
+sure she had done the right thing so far as her light showed her; and
+yet she could not lay it aside and be at peace, but was in a tremor
+of excitement awaiting Holt's reply.
+
+As she reached the high point in the road she looked as usual off
+toward the rose-vined dwelling, half hoping to see a sign of the
+master of the house; but the vines lay shimmering in the sun of the
+warm mid-day, and nothing seemed stirring about the place.  She
+walked the pony slowly along until the house was out of sight, and
+the road entered the shady quiet where wooded land on either side hid
+the glare of the afternoon.  Just beyond the woods a few rods away
+was the home of the old lady.  It was early yet and Jean lingered,
+the pony nothing loath to follow her will.
+
+They had gone perhaps fifty feet into the shadow of the wooded road
+when suddenly, out from behind a great tree with stocky, brushwood
+growth around it, slunk forth Scathlin, close to the pony, and laid
+hands upon his bridle.
+
+"I beg pardon, Miss, but Mr. Holt sent me on a message," lied
+Scathlin, shifting his eyes hastily from the clear ones that looked
+in horror upon him.
+
+Jean's heart was beating wildly, not reassured by his words.
+
+"He said would you please give me the paper you had for him.  It
+would be safer for me to get it, as no one would suspect."
+
+A great doubt seized Jean's soul.  Holt had not sent this bad old
+man.  Hold could never trust such a man as this.  But if he did trust
+him, she did not.
+
+"Did Mr. Holt send me a letter?"  Jean looked keenly into the old
+cunning face.
+
+"Mr. Holt had to go away in a hurry and so he sent me," said Scathlin
+glibly.  "He didn't have no time to write letters.  He said you
+knowed me; that you'd seen me with him, an' you'd know 'twas all
+right."
+
+"Tell Mr. Holt, please," said Jean, making up her mind hurriedly,
+"that there is nothing, and no message I can give to anyone.  I wish
+to speak with him.  If that is not possible we will have to let the
+matter pass."
+
+She drew the rein and signed to her horse to go on, but Scathlin
+jerked the birdie sharply:
+
+"Not much, you don't go on," he threatened, "not till I get that
+paper.  I was sent here to get it and I mean to have it.  You can't
+come any of your pretty little tricks on me.  I want that paper and I
+mean to have it.  Ef I can't get it one way I kin another!"  His
+voice and eyes were ominous, and Jean was so frightened that her
+throat trembled and she could scarcely control her lips to speak.
+
+"Of what paper are you speaking?"
+
+"That there paper you wrote about in the letter.  You know well
+enough what I mean.  You've got it about you now.  I know you dassent
+go off and leave it to home, where that fine brother-in-law of yours
+could find it.  Come, are you going to fork over, or do you want me
+to search you for it?  I'll find it quick enough."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+Jean turned white with deadly sickening fear, but kept her head
+courageously up.  She whipped up her pony and tried to get away, but
+the strong hand held the bridle and the little beast could only rear,
+almost throwing her.  Moreover, a gleaming pistol shone into Jean's
+terrified eyes, and Scathlin in gloating voice spoke low:
+
+"Oh, no, my pretty, you don't come any of your little tricks on me.
+You've stole a paper I give you to give to your brother, an' I mean
+to have it without any further nonsense.  Hand it over!" and he
+grasped her roughly by the arm.
+
+"Help!  Mr. Holt!  _Jasper!_" she screamed.
+
+Something was stuffed into her mouth and the barrel of the pistol
+gleamed between her eyes.  She could feel the cold steel against her
+flesh.  The earth seemed reeling beneath her, and her senses were
+going from her.  Was there no hope of help from anywhere?
+
+"Now, my pretty, I'll just he'p myself to that paper."  Scathlin's
+voice was malevolent, his eyes gleaming.  Like the cold slimy length
+of a serpent coiling around her soul, the meaning of his words slid
+about her consciousness.  She felt she was sinking out of the world
+of knowledge into a blackness where she could not protect herself.
+
+Then quickly, sharply, a voice brought her back to consciousness.
+
+"Drop that pistol!  Let go of that lady!  Now, march!"
+
+It was Holt's voice, low, merciless, commanding; and a revolver was
+in his hand.
+
+Scathlin fell away like water, turning deadly white and cringing.
+The day of his judgment had come swiftly, and there was no escape.
+He knew that look in Holt's eye.  He had sinned away his last
+probation.  Holt would never trust him again.  There was not even
+time to destroy the letter which he had wanted to keep and give to
+Harrington as evidence against the girl.
+
+"March!" said Holt's voice again, and the revolver came uncomfortably
+near to Scathlin's temple.
+
+Scathlin marched.
+
+"Go straight to the house and wait there till I come," commanded Holt
+as Scathlin backed weakly away.  "If you attempt to escape I'll turn
+the bloodhounds loose after you."
+
+Scathlin turned a shade paler.  He had had experience with one of
+those bloodhounds.  He had no desire to meet the whole pack.  He
+hastened his footsteps.
+
+Jean sat with wild eyes watching, her hand upon her heart.
+
+"You didn't send him for the paper, did you?" she demanded eagerly.
+"I knew you would never have sent him."
+
+"Send for the paper, what paper?" asked Holt in wonder.  "I never
+sent him for anything."
+
+"Then how did he know what was in my letter to you?"
+
+"Letter?  What letter?  I never received a letter from you."
+
+"Then he must have opened it and read it.  Oh, _he will show it to my
+brother!_"
+
+But Holt's voice rang out clearly before her sentence was fairly
+finished:
+
+"Halt!  Scathlin!"
+
+Scathlin had almost reached the turning at the edge of the woods, but
+he paused instantly.
+
+"Come back here."
+
+Scathlin came, cringing and white with fear.  When he was within ten
+yards of the two Holt spoke again, and all the time the sinister
+weapon kept guard in his hand aimed straight at Scathlin.
+
+"Give me my letter."
+
+"W-what l-let-tt-ter?" chattered Scathlin with ill concealed attempt
+to use his cunning.
+
+"The letter you have in your pocket.  Take it out instantly and drop
+it on the ground or I shall fire," said Holt sternly.
+
+"Well, put down that gun," whimpered Scathlin, fumbling nervously in
+his inside pocket, "you make me n-n-nervous!"
+
+"Be quick!  Drop that letter!" said Holt, still holding the revolver.
+
+Scathlin took out the letter and dropped it on the ground, but his
+bad little eyes gleamed green and yellow hate at the girl in one look
+of wrath as he turned and stumbled back again.
+
+Holt, still holding the revolver and watching the retreating man,
+advanced and picked up the letter.  When Scathlin was out of sight he
+read it, then turned with softened eyes to the girl who had meantime
+secured the paper from its hiding place pinned within her blouse.
+She held it out to him, her hand still trembling with the fright she
+had been through.
+
+Holt took the paper, but gathered the little hand into his tenderly
+and, stooping, kissed it.
+
+"To think you have been through all this for me."  There was awe in
+his voice.  "To think you trusted me instead of your own people!"
+
+For an instant they looked into each other's eyes; then Holt's horse,
+trained to stand and await his master's will, whinnied softly.
+
+"We must not stand here," said Holt, looking up sharply, "some one
+might come.  I will take you on to Mrs. Foster's, and then go back
+and see that Scathlin is where he can do no further harm.  How long
+will you wish to be there?  Can you stay an hour and then ride back?
+I will be waiting just in the shadow of the woods and see you to the
+edge of town where you will be safe.  Please don't ride out of town
+alone again."
+
+"But I shall not be afraid to go back," protested Jean.  "You need
+not take all that trouble.  Now that you have the paper I shall not
+be afraid."
+
+"Trouble!" said Holt, looking at her with eyes that adored.  "You
+know it is no trouble.  But what is this paper that has made so much
+disturbance?"  He had mounted his horse and was riding by her side
+now.  He unfolded the paper, but it needed only a glance to show him
+what it was.
+
+"How did you happen to have it?" he asked, looking at her startled.
+"Have you the others?"
+
+"No," she said, a cloud of trouble coming into her eyes.  "I had
+them, I suppose, but I did not know they were yours.  I had the
+wallet, with them in.  That man gave them to me on the train before
+the wreck.  You picked the wallet up once when it fell, don't you
+remember?  Didn't you know they were yours?"
+
+"Yes," said Holt, "I knew.  At least I supposed I knew."
+
+"Why didn't you tell me?"
+
+"I didn't want to mix you up in the trouble," he said, looking at her
+tenderly, "and besides, I knew they were safe in your possession for
+the present."
+
+"But they weren't.  I didn't know they were yours, and I gave them to
+my brother."
+
+"I knew you would, of course.  But I was pretty sure I could stop any
+harm he would do before he could do it.  The only thing I was
+troubled about was this paper.  I didn't think Scathlin was fool
+enough to leave all the papers in the wallet.  I was pretty sure he
+had kept this and one other himself and only sent the rest back to
+throw me off the track and make me think he had sent all of them.  He
+knew I saw him give you the wallet and he meant I should see.  He
+thought I would stop watching him and give my attention to you, but I
+knew Scathlin better than that.  I kept my eye on him.  But how did
+you happen to have this one paper?"
+
+"I'm not sure.  When I came back to my room, after giving my brother
+the wallet, I found this on my floor.  It may have fallen when I
+dumped the things out of my bag.  The wallet fell apart and all the
+papers went out on the table, but I thought I picked up every one.
+Then when I came back to my room I found this on the floor just as I
+was about to turn out the light.  Later I overheard a conversation in
+which this paper and another were described as missing.  The other
+was something to do with a mine----"
+
+"Yes, I have it," said Holt.
+
+"You have it?  Oh, I am so glad!  Then they can't trouble your claim,
+can they?  I suppose that was what they meant, I'm not very much of a
+business person.  But how did you get it?  They said it was in the
+wallet."
+
+"It was," said Holt, "till Scathlin took it out.  I think he intended
+taking this, also, and leaving with you only the other papers which
+were utterly valueless without these two; but he had to work quickly
+while I was at the other end of the car, and he blundered.  I got it
+out of Scathlin's shoe, just after the accident occurred, and before
+I left the car we were in.  We had a struggle in the dark, but I
+secured my paper before he flung me off and crawled out of the
+window.  After that, I lost sight of him.  I was hunting for him in
+the water when I found you.  I didn't know who you were till I drew
+you up on the bank.  But I never dreamed you had this paper.  I
+thought, of course, it was still with Scathlin.  That is why I was
+away so long, hunting him.  I didn't know once but I'd lost him
+completely, but I finally got on his track.  I was sure he knew where
+this paper was and I didn't dare to lose him.  I brought him home to
+watch him; and I've kept him in sight all day to-day.  He thought I
+was away from home for two days, but I've been in hiding.  I had him
+watched when he went to town and I knew he came home.  If he had had
+this paper he would have gone straight to your brother.  A field
+glass and a whistle will do a good deal to keep track of a man.  When
+he stole out of the house toward the woods I knew something was
+happening and signalled my men.  They are waiting now.  They'll look
+after Scathlin till I get back."
+
+He raised a tiny whistle to his lips and blew a long, silvery blast,
+followed by two more, and in a moment there came back two answers
+from slightly different directions.
+
+They were come now to the open road, and Holt drew his horse to one
+side.  Mrs. Foster's home was but a stone's throw away and she was
+sitting on the porch in her reclining chair.
+
+"I will be here when you are ready to go home," said Holt, looking at
+her tenderly; then, touching his hat, he wheeled his horse and was
+out of sight in a twinkling.
+
+The next hour was always a blur in the memory of Jean.  Somehow she
+drew her senses together and dismounted at her friend's door, going
+through the formalities of meeting, and adjusting herself to the
+occasion; but not for an instant did her subconsciousness cease to
+rehearse the events just passed.  Her whole body quivered again with
+the fear that swept over her at sight of Scathlin; she shrank once
+more from his touch as the full realization of her escape was made
+known to her; and the look and voice of Holt thrilled her as nothing
+had ever done in her life.  How could they say he was not good when
+he was like that?  She had seen the soul of him looking out of his
+wonderful eyes and she knew.  But how had it come about that others
+had not seen, also?  Oh, if they knew once; if they could just get a
+real glimpse of the true man, they would never again feel as they did
+about him.
+
+She recognized fully the separation there was between them and it
+brought a constriction of tears in her throat; but in her heart was a
+glad glow that he cared for her, and for the time it seemed enough to
+fill her with deep joy.  She was going to see him again in a few
+minutes, and she could thank him for saving her life again, this time
+perhaps from something worse than death.  She had had no words
+wherewith to tell him of the infinite relief his appearing had
+brought; everything had happened so quickly; but it seemed as if a
+lifetime would be too brief to voice her gratitude for her
+deliverance.  She shivered as she remembered the look on Scathlin's
+face when he took hold of her.
+
+Mrs. Foster said: "Why, you're not cold, are you, dearie, this warm
+day?  I believe they are letting you do too much, with all their
+parties and things.  You look white.  You'd better come down and stay
+with me a week and get rested up."
+
+But Jean's laugh rang silverly.
+
+"Oh, no, I'm not cold, Mrs. Foster, I'm just glad over something.
+It's very nice of you to ask me to visit you, and I would be
+delighted, but you know I'm going home next week, and I'm afraid
+Eleanor wouldn't want to spare me when the time is so short."
+
+"Going home next week!" exclaimed the old lady, in dismay.  "Why, I
+thought you were going to stay till Christmas."
+
+"So I was, but father has to go to New York to a convention.  He's
+been made a delegate, and it's a splendid thing for him.  He hasn't
+had an outing in a long time.  He needs it; and we couldn't leave
+mother alone you know.  Mother is an invalid.  So of course I'm going
+home a little sooner.  But I've had a beautiful time here, and maybe
+I can come again sometime."
+
+All the time that Jean was talking her real self was thinking how
+wonderful it had been that it was Holt who saved her again and not
+just some passing stranger.
+
+The hour was over at last and Jean joyously mounted her pony and bade
+her friend good-bye; but when she rode into the shadow of the woods
+and saw Holt on his shining black horse waiting quietly beside the
+road for her, a great shyness overcame her, and she knew she would
+never be able to put into words the great thoughts of her heart, and
+that perhaps it was as well; for he would understand and words were
+not necessary for them.  There could not be much said without saying
+too much.
+
+After all they said very little.  The way was short till they came to
+the edge of town though they walked their horses as slowly as
+possible; but there were looks and glances of the soul, trustful,
+grateful, worshipful; and each felt the blessedness of these few
+minutes alone together.
+
+Holt told her briefly of Scathlin.  He was safe?  She need fear him
+no more.  He would not be abroad to trouble her during the rest of
+her stay.  His eyes more than his words informed her how he regretted
+the brevity of that stay.  His eyes told her also that Scathlin's
+judgment would be tempered with mercy and righteousness.
+
+There was one question she wished to ask him.  She hesitated long but
+finally risked it.
+
+"You will enter the tournament?" she asked, lifting her eyes full of
+pleading that his answer should be yes.  "You know about it, of
+course?  You know they are giving me a tournament before I go home?"
+
+He bowed gravely.
+
+"Yes, I know.  You will like it.  It is one of the most interesting
+affairs they have in town.  I am glad you will see it."
+
+She saw he was evading her question.
+
+"You will enter?" she asked again anxiously.
+
+He searched her face keenly.
+
+"You want me to?"
+
+"I do, very much," she said, and the rich color in her cheeks told
+him how much she wanted it.
+
+"Your friends will not like it," he said.
+
+"But the tournament is given for me, and I shall like it," she said
+with spirit.  "I am sure you can ride."
+
+"I can ride a little," he said indifferently.
+
+"Then you will enter?"
+
+"If you really wish it."
+
+"I certainly wish it," she said gladly.
+
+Then suddenly out from the woods rode two men; fine, tall, sturdy
+fellows they were, perhaps ten or more years older than Holt, but
+with strong faces, keen eyes, and muscles that looked like iron.
+
+They saluted Holt as if he were their military officer, and one rode
+close to him and said a few words in a low tone.  Holt nodded
+gravely, his fine, boyish face taking on maturer lines as he gave
+attention to the message, and uttered his brief, ready directions,
+utterly unintelligible to the girl who looked on in bewilderment at
+this new phase of the young man's character.
+
+The second rider had halted at a respectful distance, without a
+glance in her direction, and waited as a trained servitor should do.
+Devotion to Holt and absolute obedience were in the attitude of both.
+
+The interview occupied scarcely a minute; then the two men wheeled,
+saluted, and rode away once more into the woods.
+
+"A little trouble at the mine," Holt explained, in answer to her
+questioning glance.  "It'll be all right now, since I have this paper
+again.  We haven't dared to exercise our water privileges as we
+should and have been moving under difficulties, but now that I have
+the grant there will be no further trouble.  I'll take care it's put
+where no one can steal it again."
+
+"Oh, I'm so glad," breathed Jean, "but who are they?" pointing after
+the two riders who were just disappearing behind the trees.
+
+"My men," said Holt.  "I have fifty-four of them, fine fellows every
+one."
+
+"Your men?" questioned Jean in surprise.
+
+"They work for me--in the mine and around the place.  I've picked
+them up here and there.  That big fellow that waited--I took him down
+from a tree where they'd hung him up for stealing a horse.  He's the
+one I told you of--I thought he was dead, but there he is!  He
+wouldn't take a pin now that belonged to anyone else.  He's the
+straightest fellow on the place.  The other one was almost gone with
+fever when I met up with him.  We've nursed each other twice apiece
+since then.  There are others I'd like you to know if things weren't
+as they are.  You'd see the good in them, I'm sure.  You seem to
+understand."
+
+Jean's eyes were alight as she watched him.
+
+"They know you!" she exclaimed.  "They've seen the real _you_, and
+they trust you!  I saw it in their eyes."
+
+"Maybe," he said, returning her look.  "They'd fight for me any time
+I asked it; and they'd die for me if it came to that."
+
+"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for
+his friends."  The words seemed to come of themselves from the girl's
+lips as she watched the man in wonder and admiration.
+
+"You took a mighty slim chance on yours for me about an hour ago."
+Holt's eyes spoke volumes.  "Why didn't you give him the paper?  It
+was by far the safest thing for you to do.  Didn't you know that?"
+
+"Yes," said the girl, her soft lips setting in a firm line and her
+chin taking the tilt that gave her sweet face its strength and
+fineness.  "But the paper was yours, and I was sure it was valuable.
+I didn't trust him."
+
+"And you trust me yet, in spite of all the things I know you must
+have heard about me?"
+
+"I trust you _forever_!"
+
+Her eyes were clear and steady, and her voice was sweet with a ring
+of triumph in it as she made the declaration.
+
+For a moment they looked at one another with a great blinding light
+of deep gladness shining from their eyes; then the man bowed his head
+gravely and, reaching over, took her hand in a strong, quick clasp.
+
+"You shall never have cause to lose that trust," he murmured
+solemnly, and turning, rode back into the woods and left her to go on
+alone through the town.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+When Jean reached the Harrington home she found a group of girls on
+the piazza, waiting for her, who chattered and laughed and took
+absolute possession of her.  They were planning an all-day trip on
+horseback with lunches and all sorts of interesting things by the
+way, and Jean must help them.  Then they gave her no chance to speak,
+but told her all in chorus, until she could scarcely make out what it
+was about.  She smiled and agreed, but half the time she did not know
+what they were saying, for something still and beautiful within her
+soul was claiming her attention, something that seemed too high and
+holy to be affected by any of these foolish little things wherewith
+the others wanted to while away the time--the brief, dear time left
+her to be in _his_ neighborhood!  Yet she smiled and agreed, and they
+all thought her charming, and went on making their plans.
+
+They made out their list of men who were to be invited.  She heard
+the names read, and took no account of whom they had selected for her
+escort.  What did it matter?  _His_ name was not among them!  She
+heard their talk about their horses.
+
+"Robin Hood has gone lame," declared one maiden pettishly, "isn't
+that a shame?  Father says it's my fault, but I know better.  He's
+going to get me a new horse pretty soon when he can find one to suit
+him.  I know just the one I want, coal-black and shines like satin.
+He can go like the wind and take a river as if he had wings.  I'm
+dead in love with him.  I'm just dying to ride him, but his owner
+won't sell him.  Isn't that mean?  He belongs to Jasper Holt.  Father
+has offered him a fabulous price, but he won't sell him at any price,
+he says.  I think he's perfectly horrid.  Of course he only does it
+just to be disagreeable because he thinks I want him.  That man makes
+me tired!"
+
+There was a soft color on Jean's cheeks and she looked up as if a
+challenge to defend her friend had been flung to her.
+
+"Perhaps he's fond of the horse," she said gently, as she glanced
+around on all those scornful young faces.
+
+"He, fond of anything!  Oh my dear!  You don't know him!" declared
+one of the girls.
+
+"He never was fond of anything in his life," laughed another.  "Why,
+he's the cruellest thing!  You don't know, Jean."
+
+"Men grow very fond of horses," said Jean, holding her head high and
+the roses in her cheeks deepening, "and their horses grow fond of
+them.  A horse loves one who is kind to him."
+
+She was remembering the proud arch of Jasper Holt's black as he rode
+beside her in the woods but a short half hour before.
+
+Her words were met by a shout of merriment, and a boisterous young
+voice with a sneer in it pierced above the laughter:
+
+"Kind to them!  Jasper Holt was never kind to anything in his life!
+My dear, you simply don't know him!"
+
+"But I _do_ know him!" said Jean now, rising from her rocker and
+standing slim and straight against the vine-covered pillar of the
+porch.  "I know him better than you all, and I know he is kind.  He
+was kind and splendid to me!  No man could have done more!  I am
+sorry you feel that way about him.  It isn't right!  He is my friend!"
+
+She had spoken!  She had always meant to, ever since she came; but
+there had been little opportunity without being deliberately
+disagreeable and dragging the subject in.  Perhaps Eleanor had warned
+her callers not to mention Jasper Holt, for they usually seemed to
+avoid speaking of him; but she had always felt the time would come
+when she could speak and let them all know what she thought about
+him, and now it had come and she had spoken.  Her heart beat wildly,
+her cheeks were rosy red, and her eyes shining starrily, but she
+stood unabashed and faced them all.
+
+A sudden silence fell upon the little group and they exchanged
+furtive glances of understanding as if a mutual agreement sealed
+their lips to things that they might say if she were not with them.
+
+"Oh, well, of course you're grateful," said one girl in a
+conciliatory tone.  "One couldn't help being grateful under such
+circumstances; but he would have been a brute not to have pulled you
+out of the water and showed you the way to Hawk Valley."
+
+"Perhaps he wants his black to ride in the tournament," said another
+girl mischievously, hoping to lift the cloud that had fallen over
+them all.  "He has audacity enough for anything, though he has never
+seemed to care for anything going on in the town.  Of course he has
+never been encouraged to have."
+
+"He wouldn't dare!" said another with flashing eyes.
+
+"Why wouldn't he dare?" asked Jean, turning steady eyes to the
+haughty young speaker.
+
+"Because it wouldn't be tolerated," declared the girl still haughtily.
+
+"I have seen him dare greater things than that," said Jean with a
+far-away look in her eyes and something like a smile on her lips.
+
+The girls looked at her a minute in silence and wonder, interchanged
+quick glances that said: "She does not know," and changed the
+subject.  They liked Jean too well, and she was too popular among the
+men for them to risk angering her, so they chattered on about what
+they would have in the lunch boxes, and who should bring what; but
+Jean, with that far-away look in her eyes and that half smile on her
+lips, as if she knew things that were hidden from others, said no
+more.
+
+They chattered and giggled and chorused to the end of their subject
+and their time at last, and took themselves away; but it was the
+dinner hour and Harrington was coming up the walk with two men who
+were to be their guests for dinner.  There was just time for Jean to
+change her riding habit for a dinner dress and hurry down again, no
+chance for the rest and the quiet thoughts that cried out to have
+their way.
+
+The evening was filled with callers, as every evening had been since
+she came that was not actually taken up by some entertainment or
+invitation.  It seemed a wearisome time to Jean, who longed for her
+quiet room and her own thoughts.  She watched the men who were
+talking to her, trying to please her; saw that they were good to look
+upon, cultured, and refined: saw that any one of them would be a good
+friend to her if she would let him; and yet, when she considered it,
+there was not one who came up to the standard of the man who had
+saved her life.  She tried to look at the matter from their
+standpoint and understand why it was that she could not like any of
+them as she liked him; why they all seemed rather tedious in their
+intercourse and tiresome in their coming; and the great thought came
+down upon her that it was because she had first known him, and he was
+so much larger and finer a man in every way than they.
+
+She had no more thought than at the beginning that she would ever see
+more of Holt.  The future showed no bright hope that they might come
+together.  He had said it would not do, and she trusted him.
+Whatever he willed concerning their friendship she bowed to, for she
+trusted him utterly; but there was something vivid and both strong
+and gentle in him that made all others vapid beside him.
+
+She roused herself to be pleasant and entertaining, but her heart was
+not in it.  Her sister, noticing as the evening went on that she
+looked white and tired, finally managed to send their guests away.
+And indeed, there had been moments when all the gaiety and laughter
+seemed far away to her, and she had only seen the evil face of
+Scathlin and heard his voice demanding the paper and threatening to
+find it for himself.  Once she had shuddered and shivered visibly as
+if she were chilly, and the Captain hastened to pick up a gauze scarf
+and throw it around her shoulders, while Freeman Thorne pulled down
+the window.
+
+But when they were all gone Eleanor was not at peace about her sister
+and in pretty negligee she came in presently to perch upon the bed
+and question her.
+
+"Is anything troubling you, Jean?" she asked anxiously.  "You seemed
+so white and tired to-night?"
+
+"Nothing at all, dearest," said Jean brightly.  "What a big
+responsibility I am to you, you precious big sister!  You mustn't
+worry about me, I have had a lovely visit.  But I get a little tired
+of talking to so many people sometimes, and having to say the same
+things over to all those men."
+
+"You queer child!" said her sister, looking at her curiously.
+"Almost any girl would be proud, to have so many admirers and you
+take them as a matter of course and don't seem to care a bit for any
+of them."
+
+She studied the fair face of the girl keenly for any trace of
+self-consciousness, but Jean's smile was as placid as ever.
+
+"They are all nice, Eleanor," said the girl wearily, "but they do
+grow a little tiresome; all day long some of them, and every day.  I
+wouldn't mind if you and I had a day or two now and then just all to
+ourselves."
+
+"Well, you certainly are hopeless!" said her sister.  "Tell me,
+child, is there someone at home to whom you have given your heart?"
+
+"Oh, no!" said Jean quickly, laughing at the thought.  "Who would
+there be?  You know all the boys, and there isn't one I could care
+for."
+
+"Well, I didn't know but that new bank cashier--"
+
+"Tom Lloyd?  Why he's engaged to Bella Harkness.  Did no one tell
+you?  Besides, he's years older than I am."
+
+"Well, there's that oldest Shafton boy.  Mother wrote he had come
+home from college and started in business.  They are a good family,
+Jean."
+
+"Jimmy Shafton?  Oh, Eleanor!  You ought to see him!  He's the
+biggest snob!  But there!  I suppose he's nice enough, but I don't
+like him, that's all.  He has a weak chin, and somehow I don't trust
+him.  Now, Eleanor, you funny little match-maker, just give me up as
+a hopeless case.  You can't marry me off yet awhile and you'll have
+to make up your mind to it.  I'm going home where I belong to take
+care of my mother and teach my Sunday School class; but I've had a
+glorious time while I was here and I shall enjoy thinking it over a
+lot when I get home."
+
+Eleanor was baffled, but persistent.
+
+"Don't you like the Captain?" she asked.
+
+"Yes, a lot.  He's going to take me a ride through the canyon
+to-morrow.  Will you go along?  He promised to ask you."
+
+"Well, probably he didn't want me," said Eleanor significantly.
+
+"Well, _I_ do," said Jean decidedly.  "I told him I wouldn't go
+without you."
+
+"Why, yes, I suppose I could take Betty on her pony."
+
+"Do," said Jean, "I love to ride with Betty, and then you can talk to
+the Captain when I get tired."
+
+"You funny little girl!  Well, don't you like Freeman Thorne?"
+
+"Of course," said Jean.  "He's going to bring me some Indian
+arrow-heads to give to my boys at home."
+
+Eleanor sat back and surveyed her inscrutable little sister
+hopelessly.  There was one more question she wanted to ask, but
+somehow she didn't dare, because she hated to see that look of hurt
+dignity come into Jean's eyes whenever she spoke of Jasper Holt; but
+there lingered in her heart just a little uneasiness about the
+handsome outlaw whose part the girl had so loyally taken on her
+arrival, and about whom her lips had remained so significantly sealed
+ever since.  Yet, despite her uneasiness, she went to her room with
+the question unasked, and Jean locked her door and turned out her
+light with a sigh of relief that at last she was alone.
+
+Down on her knees beside the open window she knelt, her arms on the
+window seat, her face raised to the eternal stars.  There was a kind
+of triumph in her face, for though she knew that great sadness was
+coming rapidly on its way, yet over all the excitement of the day,
+the terror of peril and escape, there was a great exultation.  For
+just this one night at least she must exult in the thought of her
+lover and his second saving of her life; she must rejoice in his love
+and the fact that she could trust him.  Memory brought back now in a
+flood of joy every glance of his true eyes, every word and gesture,
+every movement and attitude of the perfect body.  He seemed so much
+stronger and finer and nobler in every way than all those others.
+What a pity that he must rest under their disapproval.  How dreadful
+that they could not know him as he really was--that she must
+presently go on her lonely way home, and see no more of him, know no
+more of him--perhaps never on this earth again.  He had it in him to
+be true to this terrible separation because he thought it ought to
+be, and she was proud of him for it, but her heart already ached in
+anticipation of the sorrow that was in store for her.
+
+With a sob she put her head down on the window sill and prayed softly:
+
+"Dear God, take care of him, and help people to know him.  Help him
+to be true always and let others find it out and be ashamed of the
+way they have treated him.  Bless him, and keep him--my dear friend!"
+
+Then with one lingering look away to where the stars shone quietly
+above his dwelling as above hers, she went to her sleep.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+The tournament was set for the day before Jean started home.
+
+It was to be a great event, the biggest thing the town of Hawk Valley
+could devise in the way of entertainment for its most honored guests.
+It was an all-day affair, with contests and games of every kind,
+races and matches and a big procession with everyone wearing the
+gayest and most fantastic garments the resources of the town afforded.
+
+The climax of the program was to be late in the afternoon when the
+great feats of riding were performed and the prizes and wreaths given
+out to the victors.
+
+The highest honor had been allotted to Jean, for she had been
+selected to give out the prizes and crown the victor of the final
+riding contest.
+
+It had been the custom heretofore in other similar contests that a
+lady so honored should ride once around the running track in company
+with the victor and share with him the triumph of the occasion.
+Great was the eagerness of all the young men to win this privilege on
+this occasion, for Jean's delicate beauty and sweet, gentle ways had
+made her most popular, and everyone was striving for the privilege of
+riding with her and being crowned by her fair hand.  All in a
+friendly way there had been much merriment about it, much betting and
+chaffing, much practising of horsemanship, much boasting, and many a
+gallant gentleman had besought her to wear his flowers on the gala
+day that he might stand the better chance of winning.
+
+But Jean had smiled upon them all and would promise none.  She took
+it all as a beautiful piece of pleasantry in her honor, though
+sometimes she was secretly distressed at the earnestness with which
+many of her admirers pressed their suit.  They were splendid fellows,
+all of them, and it was hard to be refusing and disappointing them
+all the time.  Hard, too, it was, to disappoint her sister Eleanor
+continually, who was an enthusiastic match-maker and felt real
+chagrin that her beloved sister should go back home from all that
+adulation still apparently heart-free, when she had been given so
+many perfectly good chances to fall in love.  Eleanor would have
+liked nothing better than to have Jean marry and settle out near
+herself.  Then the father and mother would eventually come, of
+course, and the family would be reunited.  It was most aggravating to
+her that Jean remained so unimpressionable.
+
+The day before the tournament great boxes of flowers began to arrive
+for Jean, embarrassing her with their riches, profusion and
+costliness.  Orchids and lilies, gardenias and roses of rare
+varieties, carnations, jessamine, even delicate wild flowers and
+wonderful poppies.  Each admirer had spent much thought and care upon
+his offering, hoping to have it chosen for wearing upon the great
+occasion; and each had tried to have his flowers unusual and
+noticeable enough to draw her choice away from all others.  With each
+great box came card or note or sometimes letter bearing the name and
+earnest plea of the giver, three even offering themselves with their
+flowers.
+
+Jean stood among her blossoms, her cheeks vying with the roses, her
+eyes as starry as the lilies, distressed and touched, but not quite
+pleased.  It was terrible to her that she seemed to have wrought such
+havoc in the hearts of men.
+
+Eleanor and the children hovered excitedly around, far more pleased
+than Jean over the honors that were heaped upon her.  Eleanor talked
+in a high, sweet soprano about the merits of the different flowers,
+and the reasons why each should be worn in preference to the others.
+
+"There were the Captain's orchids--so expensive, poor fellow--and he
+was so handsome!"  Eleanor always ended with the Captain where she
+had begun.  It was plain that Eleanor favored the Captain most
+mightily.
+
+Jean stood and touched the flowers, tenderly, compassionately, as
+though in some way they were human things that had been cheated into
+coming without a cause; as she might have looked at and touched
+something very beautiful that did not belong to her.  It seemed a big
+responsibility to have all these lovely blossoms with all they
+represented, and as she filled each vase and jar and bowl to
+overflowing till almost every available receptacle in the house was
+filled, her eyes grew more and more troubled and thoughtful.  Somehow
+it seemed wrong for her to have all these perishing beauties, knowing
+that the lasting treasure they were here to plead for their donors
+was not hers to give.
+
+"Which flowers are you going to wear, Jean?" asked Eleanor vexedly
+that night, as they went upstairs together after tucking the blossoms
+all away under damp papers.  "You know you'll have to decide in the
+morning, and there really aren't any more to come in, unless Mr.
+Frazer sends some.  Everybody, literally every man in the region that
+could have a shadow of right to do so, has sent you some.  It shows
+how popular you are!  I don't believe any girl that ever came here
+before was so well treated, and so universally admired.  It's
+wonderful, Jean.  You little, quiet, sweet child, but you've got them
+all under your small thumb!  I never would have suspected it of you."
+
+Jean smiled wearily.  She was tired and her sister's idea of triumph
+was not hers.  It savored too much of counting the scalps of those
+she had slain.  She did not want to have men at her feet to be turned
+away.  She looked at life more seriously than just a game where she
+was to win all no matter who lost.
+
+She turned away with a gentle good-night, and Eleanor's eyes followed
+her dissatisfiedly.
+
+"You know, you might wear one of each and satisfy them all," she
+suggested.
+
+Jean smiled and shuddered inwardly.  The scalps again!  A display of
+them!
+
+"Never!" she murmured.
+
+"Well, what are you going to do?"  Her sister was all out of patience
+with her dallying.
+
+"I'll sleep over it," she said brightly.  "Aren't you tired, dear?"
+
+And Eleanor had to let it go at that.
+
+Young Frazer sent his flowers in the morning: wonderful violets, blue
+as the sky over Hawk Valley; dewy and sweet, and raised with careful
+tending; and there were more roses from several men at a distance who
+had not been reckoned upon.  But Eleanor was not told of the roses
+that the servant found upon the doorstep when he went to sweep the
+piazza, early in the morning; the roses with the dew upon them and
+the golden ruby glow of sunset in their hearts.  They were not
+wrapped, or in a box, or accompanied by a card; nor was there even
+any name upon them.  They simply lay upon the doorstep and made their
+mute appeal of fragrance; and the man servant, who, like all the
+other men in Hawk Valley, servant though he was, had surrendered to
+the gentle, beautiful girl, understood and carried them straight up
+to her door without telling anyone.  He knew from whom they came, and
+he knew, by the starry look in her eyes when the others like them had
+come, that she would know.
+
+She gathered them into her willing arms and thanked him.  Her problem
+was solved, and she could go down to breakfast with a light heart.
+
+"Have you decided which flowers to wear, Jean?" her sister asked
+sharply the minute she came into the room.
+
+"Yes," said the girl with a smile, "but it's a secret.  I'm not going
+to tell.  You will see when I wear them."
+
+Eleanor looked anxiously at the bright face with the firm lips, and
+the decided set of the pretty head, and sighed.  She knew she would
+have to wait.
+
+Jean was to go on her pony to the scene of the day's festivities,
+that she might be ready for the triumphal ride at the end; and the
+Captain had begged the privilege of accompanying her, being confident
+that he should both see his costly orchids adorning her, and win the
+right to ride home by her side, triumphant.  It seemed to him that in
+that case it would be but a short way to the other heights he hoped
+to attain.
+
+He arrived at the house on the minute appointed, but Jean, usually
+punctual, kept him waiting.  The Harringtons were all packed
+comfortably in their motor-car.  They kept calling impatiently.
+
+"We'll be late, Jean, and James has to see about the signals and put
+up some more ribbons.  You know he's marshal of the day."
+
+"Go on," called Jean sweetly from her window, "I'm just fastening on
+my flowers.  I'll be there in a minute.  Don't wait, we'll catch you."
+
+They heard her footsteps flying down the stairs and Harrington
+started the car.
+
+"Wait, James, I must see what flowers she chose."
+
+"Nonsense!" said her husband, sending the car shooting forward at a
+pace.  "You can wait till she gets there.  What difference does it
+make anyway?"
+
+"Why, if she doesn't take the right ones I can send her back," said
+Eleanor, twisting her neck to see her sister, who was just mounting
+her pony.
+
+"The right ones?  You don't know which ones you want her to wear
+yourself; you've said so a dozen times this morning," laughed her
+husband, jeeringly.
+
+"Well, I know, but there are some quite impossible ones, you know,
+and Jean is so queer and unconventional.  It would be just like her
+to wear John Beard's poppies because she felt sorry for him on
+account of his lameness.  She always was that way.  Mamma let her
+choose a canary when she was little, and she chose a poor, little
+faded thing that wouldn't sing a note, because she said it wasn't
+pretty like the others and would enjoy a nice cage."
+
+"Well, I guess you'll have to let her choose her own husband, anyway.
+She's got to live with him, and she's got a big will of her own."
+
+"I know," said Eleanor, sighing.  "I shall be relieved when she gets
+safely married.  Mamma is so shut in that she doesn't realize how
+unworldly Jean is.  But, James, I do wish you'd slow up a little.  I
+must see those flowers.  Betty, dear, can you tell what they are Aunt
+Jean is wearing?"
+
+The little girl craned her neck.
+
+"I think they're just roses, mamma," said Betty indifferently.
+
+"Roses?  Are you sure, child?  Aren't they orchids?  The poor
+Captain!  But there were multitudes of roses.  I wonder whose they
+are."
+
+They had turned into the main street, now.  Banners were flying and a
+band playing martial music.  The question of the flowers must
+perforce become a side issue, for there were numberless little things
+to be decided, and Mrs. Harrington was consulted many times before
+she finally mounted the grand stand and took her seat among the
+prominent people of the place, looking around with satisfaction to
+see Jean ascending the steps followed by the handsome captain, whose
+dejected face still showed his disappointment about the orchids.  For
+the moment she was too much taken up with the captain to look closely
+at the wonderful roses that Jean wore; then suddenly she turned her
+attention to them.  Where had she seen roses like those?  Who could
+have sent them?
+
+Then memory leaped on duty.  Roses yellow as gold and with a heart of
+ruby!  Holt's Golden Sunset!  She could hear her husband's sharp
+voice repeating the hateful name.  Could it be possible that he had
+had the audacity to send Jean roses on this day, when all eyes would
+be turned to the girl?  And Jean, knowing how they felt about him,
+had dared to wear them!
+
+Her cheeks grew red and her eyes flashed.  She looked daggers at the
+girl, and then, realizing that the captain could see her, tried to
+control her face; and even now Jean was moving away to the seat on
+the right, the seat of honor for the lady who was to present the
+prizes.
+
+"Jean, wait!  I must speak to you," she called.  Jean, two chairs
+away, leaned over, smiling.  Perhaps she knew what was coming, but
+her lips had that firm little twist as she said: "What is it?" that
+indicated courage to stick to a decision.
+
+Eleanor Harrington leaned over the two chairs, speaking low and
+vehemently:
+
+"Jean, take those flowers off and give them to me at once!  I'll send
+the man back for the orchids.  People will just think you have
+forgotten your flowers.  Quick, give them to me."
+
+Jean drew back with pretty dignity, and laid her hand protectingly
+over the flowers at her waist:
+
+"I'm sorry, Eleanor," she said gently and decidedly.  "I can't do
+what you ask.  These are the flowers I intend to wear.  Captain
+Wetherill understands me perfectly.  I told him beforehand not to
+send me flowers."
+
+And she turned away.
+
+"But, Jean," cried her sister frantically, "you simply must not wear
+those roses!  Send the man back for any others, but don't wear those.
+You don't understand!  Everybody will know those are Jasper Holt's
+roses.  People will think it very strange.  Why, he isn't even here.
+It isn't respectable for you to have anything to do with him."
+
+Jean looked her sister straight in the eyes.
+
+"I understand perfectly, Eleanor," she said softly, for a group of
+people were coming in and taking possession of the seats around them.
+"I cannot and will not wear any of those other flowers."
+
+"Then take them off entirely and don't wear any," said Eleanor, the
+vexed tears coming into her eyes.
+
+"I'm sorry, Eleanor, but I must wear them," said Jean, and went
+quietly, almost sadly to her seat.  She hated to hurt her sister, and
+to seem to do violence to her wishes, but the wearing of these
+flowers had become a thing of moment to her, a sacred duty and
+privilege.  She knew that to Holt, if he should see her, it would be
+a symbol of her trust in him.  If he did not come to the tournament
+at least she would have the satisfaction of knowing in her own heart
+that she had been loyal to him, in the only way vouchsafed her, that
+of wearing his flowers before them all.
+
+Eleanor settled back, defeated, in her chair, two red spots glowing
+on her cheeks, and angry flashes in her eyes.  She was mortified
+beyond expression.  That her young sister, who had the adulation of
+the whole county poured at her feet, should choose, before the
+assembled multitude, to wear the favor of a man whom nobody
+recognized or favored filled her socially-aspiring soul with rage.
+What would James say when he found her sister had been wearing his
+enemy's flowers?  Well, it was all James' fault anyway, for if he had
+kept the car waiting a minute she would have discovered Jean's folly
+in time to stop it.  If she had seen those yellow roses glowing on
+her sister's gown before she mounted her pony they would never have
+come to the tournament, no, not if she had to detain Jean forcibly at
+home for the day and tell people she was taken suddenly ill!  This
+came of bringing the girl up in a purely domestic and religious
+atmosphere and not teaching her a little worldly wisdom.  Well, she
+would tell James it was his fault; that would be some satisfaction.
+Yes, and she would tell Jean just what she thought of her headstrong
+folly, too, when she got her home.
+
+The waves of angry color had not yet ceased to flow over Eleanor's
+handsome face when the Thornes bustled in and took the next seats.
+Mrs. Thorne was a large, imposing person and had much to say of her
+son's admiration for Jean.  She purred eagerly about the girl's
+beauty:
+
+"So simple and sweet in that white dress with those beautiful yellow
+roses!  Freeman wouldn't tell me what flowers the sent her.  I wonder
+if they can be his.  I never saw any like them around here, did you?
+The boy is completely gone about her.  I suspect he spent a fabulous
+sum on flowers.  He sent to Kansas City for them."
+
+It was then that Eleanor began to take heart of hope.  If Mrs. Thorne
+didn't know whose roses Jean wore perhaps the other women wouldn't.
+Women didn't visit Jasper Holt's home, and men didn't notice those
+things much.
+
+She settled back relieved, and allowed herself to think how well Jean
+was looking and how devoted the Captain seemed in spite of his floral
+setback.  Perhaps, after all, he would only be the more keen that
+Jean was not in a hurry to land him.  Was she, after all, a little
+deeper than they thought and did she plan her campaign with a view to
+making her admirers all the more eager?  Eleanor Harrington never had
+been able to comprehend a nature higher than her own.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+Into the midst of Eleanor's troubled thoughts came the herald, a boy
+from a neighboring ranch, fantastically attired, who rode on a white
+pony with fluttering blue ribbons for reins, and blew three sharp
+blasts on a silver bugle, the signal for the opening of the sports.
+Eleanor Harrington whispered a few words to Betty, and helped her to
+slip quietly out of the seat into the aisle, then settled back
+relieved.  She had sent a message to Jean not for anything in the
+world to tell any one whose flowers she wore, and Jean looked up and
+smiled brightly across the heads of the people between them, nodding
+her consent.  Betty came back to her seat, pleased to have been the
+centre of all eyes for a moment, and her mother patted her hand and
+reflected that, after all, it was wise in Jean not to wear any of her
+special admirers' flowers, for then they could none of them be angry
+with her; and if it should come out that she wore Holt's roses a
+little judicious hint of "gratitude" and "a sense of duty toward one
+who had saved her life" would only add charm to the lovely character
+of the girl.  As Holt was not present what harm could come of it?
+
+The day's sports went forward briskly.  Each feature of the program
+had been put into separate and capable hands, and each vied with the
+other to make his or her stunt the best of all.  There were
+children's games, marches and dances.  There were folk dances,
+speeches, contests, and races of all sorts, each highly entertaining
+in its way; and there was the great picnic dinner when the entire
+company adjourned to the edge of the woods where tables had been
+prepared and where the good things of the town had been set forth to
+tempt the appetite.  Everybody was hungry and everybody laughed and
+talked gaily.
+
+Eleanor had had a vague hope that she might induce Jean to send home
+at noon for some other flowers on the plea that the ones she wore
+were faded, but Jean was surrounded by a company of gay young people
+and there really was no opportunity to speak to her.  Harrington,
+too, who might have taken the matter in hand and convinced Jean of
+the error of her ways, had been summoned to the grounds to perfect
+some arrangement for the afternoon, so there was nothing to be done.
+
+When the bugle blew for the afternoon program to begin Harrington was
+beside his wife, his work done, ready to enjoy the best part of
+things without any more responsibility.  But Eleanor, knowing well
+his moods, thought it unwise to tell him about the flowers for the
+present.  It was too late now to change, and James would simply be
+furious; it was best to save that stroke about its being his fault
+until another time when she needed to convince him of something else.
+
+The children had finished their entertainment in the morning, and the
+remainder of the program was to be by the men.
+
+When the first set of riders came out in line there was one among
+their number whom the crowd did not at first recognize; a man with
+bright, curly hair and fine bearing, dressed in white flannels and
+riding a jet black, long-limbed horse.  Everywhere among the seats
+could be heard the murmur: "Who is he?" but no one answered.
+
+Harrington raised his field glass and looked; then dropped his hand
+with an exclamation of dismay.  Eleanor, watching her husband's face,
+reached for the glass, looked a moment, then she too dropped the
+glass in her lap and gave her attention to controlling her
+countenance.  No one must suspect what a bitter drop in the day's cup
+of pleasure this was to them.
+
+Harrington sat, grimly reflecting that he might have prevented this
+possibility if he had framed the entrance qualifications aright; but
+Holt had been away indefinitely when the tournament was planned and
+he had not thought of him.  Now it was too late to do a thing; and
+there were reasons that made it unwise for him to show displeasure or
+unfriendliness to Holt, lest suspicion of a worse character fall upon
+himself.
+
+For the remainder of the afternoon life to Eleanor Harrington became
+a matter of self-control.  Now and then she managed to glance
+furtively at her husband and wonder why he hadn't flown into a rage;
+but she was wise enough to say nothing, knowing that as he did not
+there must be a reason.  Nevertheless she mentally resolved to give
+her young sister such a piece of her mind on their return home as
+would not easily be forgotten; and for the first time since the date
+of Jean's early departure had been set, she was reconciled to it.
+What made matters so very much worse was that Jasper Holt looked
+distractingly handsome in those unaccustomed white flannels, wearing
+them as though he had grown up in them, and sitting his mount like a
+young god.  There wasn't a man of the whole line who seemed so
+thoroughly a part of his horse as Holt, and every line of his head
+and body, every controlled, easy movement that he made was beautiful.
+Of course Jean was taken with his looks.  Girls were such fools; that
+is, girls who had no worldly wisdom.
+
+Up on the grandstand a group of girls looked and exclaimed and
+whispered eagerly together: "Do you suppose Jean knew all the time he
+was going to enter?  Do you suppose maybe she's in love with him?
+_Really?_  Wouldn't that be exciting?  But of course it couldn't ever
+amount to anything but a little romance!  And she looks so innocent!
+I don't believe she knew, after all."  And so they speculated.
+
+Jean had known him the first moment he appeared upon the scene and
+her heart stood still, as if this were the moment for which she had
+waited all her life.  He was here, and how splendid he looked!  The
+rough flannel shirt and corduroys in which she was accustomed to see
+him were becoming, but he fairly took her breath away in his new
+costume.  There wasn't a man among them, no matter what he wore, who
+could match him for looks.  Her heart swelled with joy beneath his
+roses.  This was her little moment to rejoice.  To-morrow she was
+going away, and she might not see him any more, but to-day it was
+right that she should have this beautiful sight of him to carry away
+with her.  So she watched, her eyes shining and her cheeks glowing
+warmly.
+
+There was no question at any time but that he was the rider of them
+all.  His horse skimmed the hurdles as though they had been mere
+imaginary lines, and flew over the highest bar like a swallow in the
+air.  He sat the black creature with ease and grace, and from the
+start all eyes were following his every move.  The crowd forgot for
+the time its prejudice and animosity, and sat in absorbed admiration
+of his skill and courage.
+
+They all knew him as a daring rider, for often women held their
+breath to see him go tearing through the street on some wild beast of
+a horse whose mad flight seemed uncanny; but the incomparable riding
+he did now was beyond all he had ever done for them before.  They
+watched and glowed and applauded, and the heart of the girl he loved
+swelled with pride so that the tears of joy came into her eyes and
+blinded her from seeing him.  She was glad that everyone was watching
+him, and no one would be looking at her.  She did not know that her
+sister had the field glass focussed straight upon her, and was
+studying her closely.  Alas, for the tears that were so hastily
+brushed away.  Eleanor looked and her heart sank in dismay, poor,
+troubled lady.  She began to rejoice that Jean was going on the
+morrow; in fact, the afternoon could not come too soon to a close for
+her now.
+
+The final race, the hardest of them all, intricate and amazing in its
+plan and wonderful in its working out, in which the obstacles were
+many and the skill required was great, was at its climax.  Holt had
+kept easily abreast, often ahead of all the others, and the next to
+the last round was almost finished.  People leaned forward in their
+seats, then rose upon their feet, shouting and cheering and waving
+their hands.  Jean, with the others, leaned over the front rail of
+the grandstand, in the centre of the judges' bench waving her
+handkerchief excitedly; the bit of sheer linen slipped from her
+trembling fingers and fluttered to the ground.  Quick as a flash Holt
+spurred ahead and wheeling in a circle in front of the judges' stand,
+swinging his body lithely he leaned and picked up the bit of linen
+from the ground, wheeled shortly again and handed it to its owner.
+Then he was off like a flash down the track on the last round but a
+quarter of the way behind the rest, his wonderful advantage lost!
+
+"Oh-hh-hhh!" went up in dismay from a hundred throats; and "Ah-hh-h!"
+in appreciation.  It was a pretty bit of gallantry; a skilful trick
+of horsemanship, but, oh, the pity of it, to lose the race for a
+handkerchief!  The crowd could hardly forgive him.  Who cared about
+all the rest?  They were but secondary now even though he had fallen
+behind.  What madness and folly when the handkerchief could have
+waited, or was he doing it to be smart?  The crowd were angry at
+their sudden loss, and began to think how just like Jasper Holt it
+was to trifle with them so, when suddenly they sat up and took
+notice.  Was the race lost after all?  Jasper Holt had passed the
+last two riders and was running neck and neck with the third, and now
+he passed the fourth from the end.  There were but two more to pass.
+Still, the others were nearly to the three-quarter line, and the
+foremost was Captain Wetherill with his powerful roan mare.  He was
+riding hard and meant to win.  There was a bitter, haughty look upon
+his face.  His triumph would be spoiled by all that gallery play that
+had preceded it, though it was plain he felt the victory easy now.
+Would Holt attempt to pass him?  It seemed impossible, yet on he
+came, his black skimming like a swallow on the outside of the ring,
+gaining, gaining, every second, and the rider with his easy,
+nonchalant air, sitting as if the winning were a matter of
+indifference to him.  The crowd stood up and shouted now, a deafening
+din, and Jean stood with them, holding her breath in wonder and
+excitement.  The man who rode second was but a few paces ahead when
+his horse suddenly swerved outward, staggered and fell, carrying the
+rider down with him straight in the track of Holt, coming on at his
+terrible pace.
+
+The shouting hushed in tightening throats as the crowd waited for the
+terrible catastrophe that seemed inevitable.  Then, before they were
+fully aware of the danger, the black horse had leaped over the sudden
+obstacle, and was racing neck and neck with the Captain's horse and
+gaining every step.
+
+Only fifty yards remained to be run.
+
+Breathlessly the crowd stood and watched as the two leaders sped
+forward.  Would he make it?  Would it be possible after all the
+hindrances for mortal rider to compass that?
+
+The Captain was on his mettle now, spurring his horse to its utmost,
+but still the black kept easily with him.  Like two motes in the
+sunshine set to swim in unison the racers looked to the excited crowd
+as they skimmed along together.
+
+Jean clutched the rail in front of her, her eyes blinded once more by
+sudden tears of excitement, her heart thumping wildly till it seemed
+as if all those about her must hear it.
+
+Suddenly, incredibly, the black seemed to take on new speed!
+
+A gasp from the crowd, a breath of satisfaction, and then through her
+tears Jean saw the black leap ahead of his rival and clear the line
+with a lead of fully ten feet!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+For a moment there was silence, as if the crowd could not grasp the
+import of the amazing feat it witnessed; as if senses had not yet
+registered results in human brains.  Then a great shout arose,
+gathering force as it swept along.  They stamped, they cheered, they
+yelled, they waved wild, excited hands with handkerchiefs, umbrellas,
+canes, anything that was in them.  They went mad and prolonged the
+sound until it was deafening.  And there did not seem to be one in
+that whole crowd who remembered that the man for whom they were
+shouting had been for years despised by them all.
+
+No one noticed Jean, with her face wreathed in smiles, sparkling with
+tears, and her heart beating wildly with joy.  She stood on her
+railed platform, one hand upon her breast to still its excitement,
+the other hand wiping away her foolish tears which she hoped to get
+rid of before anybody had time to notice them.  It was all so
+wonderful, so beautiful to her to have her lover recognized in this
+way.  To be sure, it was only an athletic feat, no recognition of his
+sterling worth the crowd were giving him in this ovation.  She was
+not deceived.  She knew it did not mean any change of their
+relations; no difference in the circumstances that divided them; but
+it was something great and beautiful to her to have even his riding
+recognized thus enthusiastically.
+
+The cheering continued in round after round for several minutes.
+
+Holt had dismounted, halting his horse for a moment, and stood facing
+the shouting mob, reluctant, yet as if it were something that had to
+be performed in order to stop their noise.  Then with a slight,
+dignified bow he turned away, and walked toward the fallen rider.
+
+Already a doctor had been called and a crowd was gathering.  Holt
+dispersed them with a wave of his hand, and kneeling beside the
+injured man, began ministering to him with skilful, tender hand,
+regardless of the shouting of the throng who cheered this new action
+yet more madly.
+
+A delegation came in hot haste to bring the hero to the judges' stand
+where Jean, with shining eyes and excited, happy face, stood waiting
+with the wreath in her hand to crown him, but he paid not the
+slightest attention to them.  Instead he raised a silver whistle to
+his lips and blew a keen, sweet blast, that even in their excitement
+startled the crowd and made them remember the tales connected with
+that whistle and the deeds it had summoned men to do.
+
+Two men jumped down instantly from the front seat of the grandstand
+and were at his side before the echo of the whistle had died away.
+Jean saw them and knew them for the men who had ridden out of the
+woods the day that Scathlin attacked her.  They were his special
+bodyguard, his faithful, tried and true.  He sent them off with a
+word, and in a moment they were back with a hastily improvised
+stretcher and, lifting the injured man from the ground, bore him away
+to the tent that had been set up for the use of the ladies.  Holt
+would have followed but for the detaining committee, who laid hands
+upon him now and insisted eagerly, compellingly, that he was holding
+up the whole performance and he had no right to spoil the day and
+keep the lady waiting.  Even then Holt might have resisted had they
+not made mention of the lady, and he looked up and caught her eye and
+wistful smile--for he had no mind to be further in the public eye--he
+had ridden for Jean, but he wanted not their favors.  He took off his
+hat to her and came forward, and the action touched off the crowd
+again into a hoarser cry of excitement than before.  Someone, madder
+than the rest, even ventured to bring his name into the cry: "Holt!
+Holt!  Holt!  _Hurrah!_"
+
+Holt lifted up his head proudly at that and went forward, not as a
+man goes who is ashamed before his fellow men.  His bearing was of
+one who dares to face others, a "gentleman, unafraid."  The shout
+died down in hushed surprise, and then rose on a higher wave that had
+in it something of the honor and respect his bearing had demanded.
+And so he came and knelt before her.
+
+In all that wild, excited company only Eleanor Harrington sat unmoved.
+
+"What are they shouting again for?" she asked her husband
+impatiently.  "Isn't this thing almost over?  I'm tired."
+
+"They are calling Holt to come to the stand and receive the prize,"
+said Harrington, under his breath, as if it were a bitter thing for
+him to see.
+
+"How annoying!" said Eleanor, rising to look.  "And I suppose Jean
+will have to present it.  If I had foreseen any such thing as this I
+would have forbidden her to take such a prominent position.  I think
+they have made altogether too much fuss over that creature already.
+It was an _impertinence_ in him to come to-day and he knew it.  He
+oughtn't to be encouraged.  I wonder you didn't take steps to have
+him put out at the start, James.  But, James!  There is one thing,
+Jean _must not_ ride around the track with him!  I simply _will not
+have it_!  You must go down there quickly and tell her not to.
+_Forbid_ it!  Tell her to say she is sick or anything, only she must
+not ride with him.  Quick!  Go, James! or it will be too late!  She
+won't have sense enough herself.  It will be just like her to think
+she must, she is so afraid of hurting people's feelings.  See, she is
+standing up with the wreath in her hands.  Why don't you go?"
+
+"Hush!" said Harrington, drawing his wife down into her seat again
+and speaking in a low tone: "Hush!  Somebody will hear you.  Don't
+you see she's got to go now?  Don't you understand that public
+opinion will demand it?  She'd be a fool to turn back now, she must
+go the whole show.  Besides, I can't afford to get his ill-will, and
+if she didn't go with him Holt would know I had prevented her."
+
+"You can't _afford_!" said his wife angrily.  "You can't afford!" and
+she raised her voice in astonishment and dismay.  "What do you mean?
+I thought you told me only a few days ago that you had him where he
+couldn't do you any more harm?"
+
+"Hush, Eleanor, haven't you any sense at all?  This is no place to
+discuss business matters.  Don't say another word.  Things have
+changed.  I had a message from Scathlin.  It's all up!  Don't mention
+the matter to Jean, let her ride with him if she likes.  I've got to
+make friends with him somehow or I'm in a bad hole."
+
+Eleanor's face would have been a sight for the neighbors if they had
+not been too busy shouting to notice.
+
+"Well, I think things have come to a pretty pass if my sister's
+reputation has to be sacrificed for business," she retorted.
+
+The white, furious look her husband gave her silenced her, however,
+and she sat back struggling to master her own feelings and understand
+what her husband had meant.
+
+Dazed and indignant she beheld what was going on at the judges' stand.
+
+Jasper Holt was kneeling almost reverently before the girl whom he
+had twice saved from death, his bright head bowed, and she, with her
+eyes all starry bright and a little pink flush stealing into her
+cheeks, bent and laid the laurel wreath upon his brow.
+
+The crowd hushed its sound while the little ceremony was performed
+and then shouted aloud again, while Jasper Holt arose and, gracefully
+as any of the gentlemen assembled could have done it, helped the lady
+down the steps and to her saddle; then mounting rode beside her,
+bowing gravely to right and left where were drawn up in line those
+other contestants over whom he had won his so-great victory.  These,
+in spite of their chagrin, were bowing and smiling graciously, for
+they would not have the lady know how bitter was their defeat; and so
+together rode the two, silently, amid the storm of cheers, out into
+the arena and around the track.
+
+Holt did not presume upon the occasion nor his position to show his
+intimacy with the girl beside him.  Instead he rode with respectful
+mien, save for one grave, understanding smile at the start, by which
+she knew how much he hated all this publicity and would have slipped
+away without it but for her sake.  As if their every word and look
+could have been heard in all that din, they rode with downcast eyes
+and silent lips, and there was nothing in the whole journey around
+the course that could in the least offend the watching, anxious,
+mortified sister.
+
+Not until they were almost back to the judges' stand did Holt attempt
+to even glance her way, and then he spoke quite low:
+
+"You are going on the morning train?"
+
+She bowed assent because she could not speak.  A rush of tears was in
+her throat at thought of leaving.
+
+"I shall see you again to say good-bye," he said, and gave her one
+look and smile that filled her heart joy.  Then he left her at the
+judges' stand with a low bow and rode out of the arena alone; a long,
+appreciative shout following him out of sight.
+
+Jean, her heart too full for words, watched him; then turned to face
+her host of friends, who, making the best of their disappointment,
+were clustering around her and saying pleasant things.
+
+The madness of the crowd over the late hero was dying down even now
+with his disappearance from the arena.  Habit and prejudice were
+having sway once more.  Men laughed deprecatorily over their recent
+frenzy and said: "Well that certainly was great riding.  It takes a
+dare-devil to do the impossible.  Of course, we know Holt can ride;
+still I didn't really think he could do as well as that."
+
+By the time they were out on the street and back in their homes they
+had recovered their sanity enough to agree with their wives that it
+was a great piece of impudence for him to ride in and take all the
+honors away from the men who had worked so hard to make the affair a
+success.  Yet all in their hearts felt again the thrill of excitement
+as they thought of those last fifty yards of the race, and secretly
+rejoiced that, impudence or not, Holt had entered the lists.
+
+"You poor little girl," gushed Mrs. Thorne over Jean.  "It certainly
+was a shame that you couldn't have had a more respectable escort in
+your ride around the track.  Of course he looked very well and all
+that, I wasn't meaning his clothes; and he really behaved much better
+than I would have expected for him, quite modest, getting out of the
+way and not presuming at the end.  It was so much better than if he
+had had to be asked to leave, you know, but still, it was a great
+disappointment that some of your _friends_ couldn't have shared the
+honor with you.  Freeman, I know, will be terribly down about not
+winning."
+
+"Thank you, Mrs. Thorne," said Jean sweetly, "I am sorry your son had
+to be disappointed, but of course everyone couldn't win, although
+they all did well, don't you think?  But, after all, you know Mr.
+Holt _is_ one of my friends, in fact my first friend, because he
+saved my life in the wreck when I was on my way here, and helped me
+to get here.  I really felt it quite an honor to ride with him
+to-day."
+
+She turned pleasantly to greet the wife of one of the officers from
+the Fort and left poor Mrs. Thorne to gasp and roll her eyes in
+astonishment.  "Of course she doesn't know him; she doesn't
+understand," said the poor woman in an aside to Eleanor who came up
+just then.  "And perhaps it's just as well she shouldn't, as she's
+going home so soon.  Poor Freeman!  I don't know what he'll do.  He's
+completely gone over her!"
+
+Then all those fluttering girls came around Jean and began to talk at
+once.
+
+"Oh, wasn't he simply great!  And isn't he handsome in those togs?
+And isn't it a shame he has to be so wicked?  And such a woman hater?
+I declare I thought he was going to refuse to ride around with you.
+And, oh, Jean, you sly thing!  You knew he was going to enter when
+you talked about it the other day, didn't you?"
+
+They chattered and buzzed, and the young men came presently and bore
+them away one at a time.  It was the Captain, patient and
+persevering, who at last, by his very persistence, won the right to
+ride back to the house by Jean's side.  Poor Captain, his last ride,
+and that glorious smile in her eyes, but not for him!
+
+She was gentle with him when he tried again to persuade her to accept
+his love.  She told him with a wistful sigh that all happiness in
+this world was not in getting what we wanted, but in knowing things
+were real and true and fine.  She said she should always think of him
+as her friend, and she hoped he would forget that he had wanted
+anything else; and she thanked him for his beautiful orchids so
+sweetly that she left a warm glow in his heart, notwithstanding his
+double defeat.
+
+Later, as she knelt before her window-seat and looked out into the
+sweet starry night, and over toward the cottage where the Golden
+Sunset roses grew, she forgot all the petty things that had been
+bothering her all day, and just let herself be glad for a little
+while.  Then she bowed her head and prayed: "Dear Father, I thank
+Thee for letting them see so much.  Please, some day let them all
+know him as he really is.  Bless him and keep him.  I trust him with
+Thee, dear Lord."
+
+And when she fell asleep at last weary with the long day and the
+excitement, against her pillow under her cheek there lay soft cool
+petals of the golden roses, and their fragrance mingled with her
+dreams and brought a smile to her lips.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+The breath of the roses on her pillow and the fresh ones on the stand
+near the bed wakened Jean softly in the early morning, and she lay
+still, thinking joyously that she was to see Jasper once more before
+she left.  She would have some word, some glance to carry with her on
+the way.  She would have all the beautiful day that was past to put
+with their other experience together and keep, and she would have
+that good-bye.  It was the knowledge that he had promised to see her
+again that brought the smile to her lips and the eternal hope of
+youth to her eyes, when she remembered that this was her last day in
+Hawk Valley, perhaps forever.
+
+There were not many minutes for such happy thoughts.  Her trunk was
+packed, save a few little things, but they must be put in; and the
+children were already clamoring for her to come downstairs, they
+could not spare her any longer on this, her last morning.
+
+Before she was entirely ready to go down people began to come to the
+house to say good-bye and attend her to the station, and when she was
+finally ready she had gathered quite an escort so that her going
+through the street seemed quite like a little triumphal procession, a
+fit continuation of the festivities of the day before.
+
+Eleanor was proud and pleased and weeping all in one, and there was
+laughing and chatter and banter and many invitations for her to
+return.
+
+There had been more flowers sent this morning, and boxes of candy and
+books for her to read on the way.  Just before she had left the house
+Eleanor brought to her more orchids that the Captain had sent, and
+begged her to wear them just this one last time, but she was already
+wearing a glorious mass of fresh Golden Sunset roses that she had
+saved at home the day before for this purpose.  Eleanor tried to make
+her take them off, but Harrington interfered unexpectedly.
+
+"What do you do that for?" he said.  "It's all right if she wants to
+wear them.  People will sort of expect it.  It's a piece of her
+triumph of yesterday.  It won't do her any harm."
+
+Jean looked up surprised, caught a shifty, uneasy glance in her
+brother's eye, and read his mean, cringing little soul.  He would
+sacrifice her readily to his worst enemy if it suited his needs, and
+she had always felt it--now she knew it.  He colored under her
+glance, and tried to affect an elderly air of petting her, but Jean
+was not deceived.
+
+The train was twenty minutes late.  There was laughter and chatter
+and a renewal of yesterday's merriment around the station while they
+waited.  Jean was enthroned on a pile of packing cases with her
+flowers about her like some queen, and her admirers at her feet.  But
+though her eyes searched the landscape in every direction, from her
+vantage height, she could nowhere see Holt, and when the train at
+last was sighted, a mere speck down the track, she felt her heart
+sinking in dismay.  He had promised and he had not come!  It seemed
+as though she could not go without that last look from his eyes that
+she had known would be there for her, the covenant for the lonely
+future.
+
+She tried to smile at the last and say all the bright things that
+were expected of her, but she could not keep her eyes away from the
+road that led to Holt's house.  When the train finally pulled out,
+amid the waving multitude of friends, and the shouting of last
+messages and fond good-byes, the tears sprang into her eyes unbidden
+and dimmed the faces of those on the platform into a great blur.
+
+"Well, I'm glad she's safely off," sighed Eleanor, climbing into the
+car beside the children, "and I must say that man behaved pretty well
+not to come down to the train.  I didn't think he had that much
+sense!"
+
+But her husband answered not a word.  He drove his car with grim
+silence.  He was wishing Holt had come, and wondering if his absence
+portended evil for himself.
+
+The travellers on the Eastern Express watched with delight the
+beautiful girl surrounded by her bank of flowers who had come to
+brighten the monotony of their long trip.  They wondered where she
+was going, and if she had left a lover behind, that she wiped the
+tears away furtively and kept her head turned, looking out of the
+window at the landscape, which she could not see for tears.
+
+Captain Wetherill had assumed the care of putting Jean on the train,
+and had turned over a seat, giving her plenty of room to pile the
+flowers the other men brought on board, in the empty seat.  She
+seemed like a young queen in her garden, with roses and lilies and
+violets all about her; but at none of them did she look.  Her lips
+were touching the petals of the golden rose on her breast and her
+thoughts were with its giver.  His fine bearing as he skimmed the
+ground on his black steed, the touch of his soft, bright hair as she
+laid the wreath on his brow, the look of homage in his eyes as he
+raised her hand and led her to her horse, the thrill of his voice
+when he promised to see her again to say good-bye; and then the
+leaden fact that he had not come!  Over and over she went the round
+and always came back to that, with the choke in her throat and the
+tears in her eyes.  Excuse after excuse for his not coming were
+conjured in her mind and rejected; and vague fear for his safety
+mingled with them too.  But the fact remained--he had not--and now
+she would see him no more!
+
+She tried again and again to gather herself together, and finally
+succeeded in mastering the tears so that there was only a bright
+suspicion of them in her eyes, but the sense of sadness and something
+dear, unfinished and now impossible, pervaded her entire thoughts.
+
+Fifty miles from Hawk Valley the train came to a halt at a tiny flag
+station, and a young man entered, tall, handsome, eager, wearing a
+dark blue suit and a soft Panama hat--a perfect gentleman in every
+detail; a light in his eyes and a smile of welcome on his lips.
+
+Jean did not look up until he was almost beside her seat, and then
+her heart leaped with a light of welcome in her eyes, when she saw
+that it was Holt!
+
+With a soft little cry she hustled the overflow of flowers that lay
+on the seat beside her into the opposite one and made room for him.
+The car looked and was satisfied.  Her lover had not been left behind
+after all, and he was good to look upon.  All was as it should be.
+They settled back to watch the world-old look on the two young faces,
+with a contentment and zest that never flags for the sweetest story
+of all.  And there were no unkind critics here, for none of them had
+ever heard of Jasper Holt.
+
+In the still dark of the evening before, Holt had ridden forth in the
+opposite direction from that he intended to take, and skirting the
+town in a wide trail well known to himself, he had taken his way
+across country to the little flag station, where he left his horse to
+be cared for until he should return.
+
+Very quietly they sat together, after the first wonderful greetings,
+and talked.  There was over them the sadness of a coming separation
+which each felt might be forever; and they spoke no word of hope that
+it might be otherwise.  The day before them was a precious treasure
+they meant to have and keep for life.  Many things they learned in
+that brief time, of each other's hopes, longings and desires.
+Quietly Holt drew from her many thoughts of her own pure heart
+wherewith to build his ideal for the future.
+
+Once he looked meaningly at the great bank of flowers before him and
+then down at the golden roses on her gown.  They did not need to talk
+much about such things, for their eyes could say it all, and Holt
+read thoughts quickly, keenly, and spoke the language of a glance to
+perfection.  The words that he felt he had not a right to speak she
+might read in his face if she chose.
+
+And she chose.
+
+Once, as the afternoon was drawing to a close, he said suddenly:
+"Harrington sent the papers back to me last evening."
+
+Jean looked up startled, questioning, and met amusement in Holt's
+eyes.
+
+"He didn't dare to keep them.  He professes that he sent them the
+minute he knew I was at home, and that he has been much disturbed by
+their presence in his house lest his possession of them might be
+misunderstood by me."
+
+A little cloud of apprehension came into Jean's eyes.
+
+"Don't be afraid to trust me," Holt said softly, with gentleness in
+his eyes, "I'm not going to make any trouble for your sister.  You
+know that."
+
+Then a great light of joy came into her face, and the tears which had
+caused her so much annoyance earlier in the day came rushing back for
+very joy.
+
+It was in the late afternoon that they reached the city where Jean
+was to change to the sleeper.
+
+Holt gathered up the flowers to take with her, but she put out a
+protesting hand:
+
+"Oh, please, I don't want any of them but these," and she laid her
+hand tenderly over the golden roses at her waist.
+
+A look of love and appreciation came into Holt's eyes, and he dropped
+the flowers quite happily, to gather up her suit case and umbrella.
+
+"Let the brakeman take them home to his wife, then," he said joyously.
+
+He left her, at last, in the sleeper, and as he stood beside the
+train until it moved out of the station, their eyes made promises of
+trust and loyalty long after their lips were forced to remain silent.
+
+Jean did not weep when she saw the last glimpse of his splendid
+figure on the dim station platform.  She had entered upon her desert,
+but she had the light of his look to shine in her heart, and her
+courage rose.  Her eyes were bright and undaunted.  No tears should
+break her down now.  He had kept tryst and she was content.  He would
+be true and she would trust him always, even if she never saw him
+again.
+
+Just what the future would hold for her she did not care to think.
+This strange vow she had made with a man she could not hope to marry
+with her parents' consent, and whom she would not marry without, she
+had made on trust and on trust she would keep it.
+
+She did not mean to trouble her dear ones with the story.  They had
+been far away and they could not understand.  She would not have them
+looking at her pityingly, nor thinking of him unworthily.  She would
+trust and live her life, and know that somewhere, somehow he was
+being true also.
+
+Most unpractical, of course, but dear and ideal.  Her sister Eleanor
+would have said it was foolish, and been glad it was no worse,
+hoping, of course, that now when she saw no more of him she would get
+over it very soon.  But Jean was not made like that.  She knew the
+heartache that was before her, and knowing, dared to rejoice in it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+Three days later Jasper Holt rode into Hawk Valley from a Westerly
+direction, serious and silent, with a light of purpose in his eyes
+and a new dignity about him; and Harrington, meeting him in
+trepidation, was surprised and not a little disturbed by the steady
+look of understanding that accompanied the grave bow he gave him.
+
+The tournament had accomplished one thing in Holt's favor, for many
+men meeting him now acknowledged his presence by a formal greeting
+who had formerly been wont to ignore him utterly or treat him with
+contempt.  A few even went so far as to try to talk with him in a
+friendly way when they met him in the post-office, though perhaps
+there was the least bit of condescension about their manner when they
+did it.  But Jasper Holt held on his reserved way, mingling little
+with any save his chosen few, and presuming not at all on his
+popularity on the day of the tournament.  That incident was closed
+and he wished it to be as if it were not so far as they were
+concerned.  The greetings of his fellow men he answered coolly,
+almost curtly, always briefly, and was gone.  Would-be friends found
+little encouragement in any advances they made.  A recognition won by
+mere physical skill was not what he desired.  His pride lay not in
+that direction.  There were things he intended to do, but they would
+take time, and meantime he went on his independent way and men saw
+little of him.
+
+Time passed on and Jean's languishing lovers recovered from their
+various heartbreaks.  Other maidens visited Hawk Valley and were
+feasted and fêted and cherished with flowers and tournaments; but
+Jasper Holt came no more to dispute their victories.  He was keeping
+on his quiet, steady way, and gaining their respect every day.
+
+Not a word passed between Holt and the girl in the East whom he
+loved.  Eleanor never mentioned him in her letters, although her
+conscience hurt her now and then that she did not; for she was an
+honest woman and liked to give even the devil his due.  Moreover
+Harrington, after a period of restlessness and unstrung nerves,
+appeared to have settled down to the fact that his enemy was not
+going to bring him to justice, and had developed a most extraordinary
+way of saying pleasant things about him now and then.  He even
+suggested once that Eleanor include him in a dinner they were giving
+for business purposes; but his wife promptly vetoed the idea.  Even
+for business purposes she would not lay aside her principles, she
+said, and shut her lips in a firm line that reminded Harrington of
+her younger sister.
+
+Jean in her quiet, safe home had not expected letters from Holt and
+so had nothing to be disappointed about; but sometimes when her
+sister's letters came she listened eagerly, hoping for just some
+little word that would tell her how he was faring; and after they
+were read she would invariably sit looking wistfully off out of the
+window.  Her father and mother noticed it and wondered if she had
+left her heart behind her with any of the many lovers of whom Eleanor
+had written.  They talked it over at dusk sometimes when they were
+alone, and looked ahead to the years when their girl would be without
+them.
+
+"I'd like her to find a strong, noble man," said her father, "I
+cannot bear to think of her treading her years alone.  And yet, there
+are very few men of that kind," and he sighed.
+
+"Perhaps we ought to send her back to Eleanor's for another visit,"
+suggested her mother anxiously.  "We called her home so soon before
+her visit was done you know.  It may be there was someone there.  It
+may be she would like to go."
+
+Yet when they suggested it to Jean, although her face lighted
+wistfully she shook her head.
+
+"No, Mother dear," she said firmly, "I'm going to stay with you.  I'm
+not going off there again to get my head turned," and from that
+purpose they could not turn her, although they tried more than once;
+and so they settled back relieved and happy that she was content to
+stay with them.
+
+Nevertheless, although she would not go, she cried her heart out that
+night with longing; yet knew it was better that she should stay.
+
+A year and more had passed with Jean continuing on her quiet way in
+the home and church.  It was not an unhappy place to be.  The manse
+in which they lived was beautiful for situation, built of stone with
+pretty rooms and many windows, the rooms all cheerful and light and
+everything pleasant in a simple, unpretentious way.  The people of
+the church loved Jean as they loved her father and mother, and she
+was welcome everywhere in all the merrymakings.  She had a large
+Sunday School class in the church and another in a mission in the
+lower part of the town, and her boys were her most devoted followers.
+
+Neither was she without older admirers, for all the young men in the
+church and neighborhood were her friends, and she was as popular at
+home as she had been in the west.  The little manse reception room
+was never for long unadorned with flowers of some kind that had been
+sent to her, and she was never without an escort to anything she
+cared to attend.  Yet, though she had a pleasant circle of young
+friends and seemed to enjoy their company moderately, she never was
+deeply interested in any of them; and one by one those who had tried
+their fortune at her hand, went sadly away and seldom came any more.
+
+Jean seemed happy.  She spent much time with her music and her books,
+when she was not actually busy about the house or in the parish
+helping her father with some plan for his poor people or his sick
+people.  But she was growing thin, and the wistful look was ever in
+her eyes now.  Her mother watched her anxiously and petted her more
+every day, and her father sighed and wished he could afford to take
+her off on a foreign trip for a little while.  Jean only smiled, and
+went on her way, doing every day the duty that came next.
+
+Sometimes the longing to hear from Holt grew intolerable.  Sometimes
+she almost yielded to her mother's suggestion that she make Eleanor
+another visit; but something always held her back.  What was she
+waiting for?  A sign from Holt?  No, that would probably never come.
+He had said he was unworthy, and he would not of himself cross her
+path again.  But she could not go after him.  He might have
+forgotten, yet she believed in her heart he had not.  Her faith in
+him glowed bright as ever.  Even when her common sense got to work
+and told her he was but human and by this time the incident of their
+days together was a thing of the past to him and she ought to be
+satisfied if her influence had helped him even for a time to let
+people know the good that was in him; still she did not believe that
+he had forgotten.  She believed he was doing just what he had
+promised to do, and she must stay here and trust him.  At least, if
+he had forgotten, she would rather never know.
+
+So she lived her life, and struggled with her heartache, and when the
+pain was too much she knelt and prayed for him she loved.  Then at
+last one day there came a great, fat letter from Eleanor, addressed
+to Jean.  Most of Eleanor's letters were addressed to their mother,
+so that when Jean took this one from the post-office she caught her
+breath and her heart beat a trifle faster than usual.  What could
+Eleanor have to say to make such a nice, thick letter, and why was it
+sent to her instead of to mother?  Perhaps she was worried about
+mother, or perhaps she wanted to tell some trouble to her and not
+worry their parents.  But always when a letter came from her sister,
+she felt there was that blessed chance that perhaps she might say
+some little word about Holt, just to let her know he was alive.  It
+was foolish, of course, because she never had done so, and yet hope
+is a subtle thing and often abides without reason for its hiding and
+springs forth at the least encouragement.  Then, there was always a
+little comfort that she said nothing against him, for she knew that
+Eleanor was so constituted that if Holt had done anything which the
+town considered very atrocious Jean would have had to hear of it
+within the next twenty-four hours; for Eleanor liked to establish her
+theories by facts even if it were years after they were uttered.
+
+Jean did not open her letter at the office.  Her hand was trembling
+too much and her heart beating too wildly.  She did not wish to have
+any one watch her while she read that letter, for she had a feeling
+that her face might tell its secrets when she was off guard, reading.
+So she held the letter with a firm little grip and walked down the
+leaf-strewn street among the falling golden foliage, trying to grow
+calm, and remember that this was probably just a regular commonplace
+letter about everyday affairs and nothing unusual in it at all; and
+she must not be disappointed nor expect anything great.
+
+She did not open the letter until she was safe on the vine-covered
+piazza at home, sitting in the hammock where she would not be
+disturbed.  Some strange power held her from taking it to her mother
+and sharing its first reading with her as she usually did any letters
+she received, especially one of Eleanor's.  Afterward she wondered at
+this; wondered too, as she remembered how cold her hand had been, and
+how it had trembled when she tried to open the envelope with her hat
+pin.  She was so agitated, so sure by this time that something was
+the matter, that as she took the folded sheets from the envelope she
+closed her eyes and breathed a quick petition:
+
+"Oh, dear Father, make me strong for whatever it is."
+
+Then she unfolded the thick sheets and read the letter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+"DEAR LITTLE SISTER:
+
+"I have a strange task before me, to tell you of the fineness and
+greatness and goodness of a man I once told you was not good enough
+to save your life.  I feel as if I must ask your forgiveness and his.
+You were keener sighted than we all and we are ashamed!
+
+"Jean, what will you say when I tell you that Jasper Holt lies in our
+guest chamber, your old room--dying, I am afraid?  And that we have
+him to thank that our precious baby did not die a horrible death?
+
+"Let me go back and tell you the whole story.
+
+"After you went away James had the most extraordinary change of mind
+about Jasper Holt I ever saw in him.  He just turned right around and
+began to talk in his favor, even wanted me to invite him to dinner
+once.  It was some business, of course, that he thought he could help
+him in; but he really got to liking him a little I could see.  I
+suppose it was that tournament and his riding so well; though I never
+could understand why men make so much of sports.  But after it
+happened you didn't hear nearly so many people talking against Jasper
+Holt.  I think, too, your being so good as to ride around the track
+with him had something to do with it.  People saw you were not
+ashamed and they had a good look at him and saw the possibilities.
+They say he was asked, yes, just actually begged, to come in the next
+tournament and ride, but he wouldn't do it.  He hasn't appeared that
+way since you left.  He just went about his business gravely, and
+everybody began to have a lot of respect for him.  They say he has
+done a lot of good to those men he has living on his place, and they
+simply worship him.  Somebody told James there wasn't one of them but
+would give his life for him any day.  Well, that's something, of
+course.  Strange we never heard about it before.  Why, people used to
+be actually afraid of him and his men.  But he has been doing some
+splendid things here lately.  When Mr. Whateley died, just before the
+harvest, and Mrs. Whateley was left to look after her five little
+children he took his full force of men over to her place and
+harvested everything, and fixed up things a great deal better than
+they were ever fixed up before, for Mr. Whateley wasn't much of a
+manager.  And when Lucy Whitcorn was lost for three days he organized
+his men and went out and searched till he found her.  They took hold
+of hands and marched across country, through the wheat fields, over
+every spot so they couldn't miss her; and her grandmother just put
+her arms around Jasper Holt's neck and cried and kissed him when he
+brought Lucy back asleep in his arms.
+
+"But the greatest thing was when he made the raid on the saloons.
+You remember Slosson's and The Three Geese?  They used to have
+terrible carouses there.  Slosson built a concert room over his
+saloon, and advertised--had balls and dinners there, and The Three
+Geese got a moving picture show over their place; and between them
+they made a pretty fair imitation of the bottomless pit in Hawk
+Valley for a while.  People got together and talked about it, and
+said something ought to be done to stop it, and Sallie White even
+started a petition about it and got some people to sign, but it was
+near election and no one dared do much.  Then one night when things
+were at their height, and there had been a shooting affair or two, we
+heard the silver whistle of Jasper Holt's men, and the whole
+cavalcade of them cantered by on horseback.  They went like a streak
+on their dark horses, and they rode straight up to The Three Geese
+and dismounted.  Before anybody knew what was happening they had
+marched into the bar-room and the concert hall and taken possession.
+They handcuffed everybody in the place and bound them, men and women,
+and then they set to work and emptied out all the liquor and turned
+the big fire hose into every room till there wasn't a smell of
+whiskey left, and it was cleaner than it ever was since it was built.
+They went to Slosson's and did the same thing.  Slosson, and Craven
+of The Three Geese, they put into jail, and some of the others who
+had been most criminal, and they cleaned the whole place out.  Jasper
+Holt took some of the prisoners to his own house and kept them there
+till he reformed them, and he has been keeping an eye on them right
+along ever since.  Of course after that people rallied around him and
+were only too glad to be counted in with him.  They all admired his
+nerve, and they saw he could make things go, so they turned to work
+and last month they made him mayor of the town, and he has reformed
+everything in the place, till you wouldn't know it for the same town.
+Now, that's the preface and I ought to have told you long ago, little
+sister, but I suppose I was ashamed to, after all I had said.
+
+"But now I'm coming to the real story, the one that brings the tears
+to my eyes and makes me feel like sobbing; and I have to stop writing
+and go and kiss my baby before I can go on.
+
+"This morning (it seems a week ago) I sat at my desk writing my paper
+for the next Club meeting.  Baby was out in the yard in his white
+rompers and his little white hat, with his new red cart that James
+brought him from Chicago on his last trip.  The window was open and I
+could see him gathering leaves and carrying them in his cart to the
+sidewalk, where he dumped them in a pile at the edge of the road.  I
+had been having a terrible search for a word in the dictionary, and
+when I looked up again I saw baby standing out in the middle of the
+road working away with all his might to back up his cart, the way he
+saw the big carts do, and dump his leaves on the outside of the pile.
+I didn't think much about it, because there are no teams around in
+the early morning usually, and the autos, the few we have in town,
+don't come on this street much; but just as I was beginning to write
+again I heard a horrible roaring sound, and horse's feet flying down
+the street.  Something gripped my throat with fear and I could
+scarcely get out of my chair.  I could see the baby standing
+perfectly still, looking at something coming towards him.  His little
+red wagon was standing on end, the red paint gleaming in the sun.
+Then I heard that roar again and I called to Jamie to come in
+quickly, but he didn't seem to know just what to do.  He took hold of
+the handle of his cart and seemed to be worried for fear it would be
+run over.  He tried to hurry with it on to the side walk, but being
+on end it wouldn't work quickly.  On came that terrible roar!  I
+don't know how I got out on the porch, but there I saw a great, angry
+bull bearing down straight upon the baby.  I screamed and tried to
+run down the steps, but I was so frightened my knees just sank under
+me, and there I was in a heap on the steps struggling to get up, and
+my baby standing still, not ten feet from that snorting, fiery
+creature, with its horns lowered at him.  I shut my eyes, it was so
+terrible, like a nightmare, you know, when you can't do a thing.  I
+thought I was going to faint, and I tried to call James, though I
+knew he wasn't at home.  Then a wonderful thing happened.  A horse
+was flying down the street from the opposite direction, straight at
+the bull, but baby was between.  I hadn't time to think before the
+man on the horse swung over from his saddle, gathered up the baby and
+dashed sideways out of the bull's way.  It was Jasper Holt, and he
+picked up Jamie just as he did your handkerchief that day at the
+tournament.  The poor little mite held on to his dear red cart handle
+till he was up in the saddle, hindering the horse's movements, of
+course, and it dangled for a minute right in front of the infuriated
+bull's eyes, who charged at it viciously.  Then the weight of the
+cart wrenched it from Jamie's hand, and it fell clattering under the
+horse's feet, but the bull turned and made for the horse, who dashed
+back and forth from side to side, dodging those awful horns as if he
+were a human being and knew how to reason.  Jasper Holt tried to get
+near the fence to drop the baby over, but every time he came near the
+bull was in the way.  It was only a second of time that it all took,
+of course, but it seemed hours; and I could only scream, but the bull
+roared so loud that I couldn't be heard.  Then the dear black horse
+plunged right over the bull and started down the street; but the bull
+turned and caught him in the thigh with his horn and tore a great
+gash--oh, Jean, I can't describe it all!  It makes me faint even to
+think of it again.  The horse stumbled on bravely for a few paces,
+but you could see he hadn't a chance with the bull any more for he
+was crippled, and Jasper Holt saw it, too.
+
+"By that time some men had come with guns, and that splendid fellow,
+with the horse staggering under him and the bull charging straight at
+him, held the baby up in the air and told the men to shoot.  It meant
+a terrible risk to himself, of course, because he was in the line of
+fire.  But there was nothing else to do.  They shot as carefully as
+they could, and in a minute or two the bull gave one awful roar and
+lurched back.  The horse sank, too, and some one took the baby.  It
+is all confusion in my mind.  I don't really know what happened, only
+that after I got Jamie in my arms and had hugged him and kissed him
+till he cried, I looked up and saw them bringing Jasper Holt in at
+the gate.  His eyes were shut and one arm hung at the side.  They
+said he had been shot, but had held up the baby till the bull was out
+of the fight.
+
+"I made them take him to your room, and someone brought the doctor
+almost at once, but it was a serious thing, I could see from the
+first.  They wouldn't let me in the room.  I telephoned for James,
+and put the baby to sleep, for he was all worn out with the
+excitement, and kept starting awake and crying out, 'Naughty cow!
+Naughty cow!' but just as I laid him down in his crib the doctor came
+and said Jasper Holt wanted to see me.
+
+"Jean, I didn't think a few minutes could make a difference like that
+in a great, big, strong man.  He lay there so still I thought he was
+dead at first; and white under all his fine tan he was white as a
+ghost, with his head all done up in bandages and his beautiful hair
+clotted with blood--one of the shots plowed deep into the scalp, it
+seems.  He opened his eyes--what wonderful eyes he has!--and looked
+at me as if he were pinning his last hope upon me, and he smiled just
+faintly.  I never knew what perfect lips and teeth he had before--and
+his smile just like a little child's!
+
+"One could see it was a great effort for him to speak.
+
+"'Will you tell your sister that I've kept my promise?' he said,
+slowly and distinctly.
+
+"When I told him I would, his eyes lighted up, as if the sun were
+shining behind them, and then they fell shut and I think he must have
+fainted again.  I came quite close and tried to tell him how grateful
+I was to him for saving the baby's life, but his eyelids never even
+quivered.  Then the doctor drew me away and said it wasn't any use to
+talk, that he couldn't hear me, so I came away, but I couldn't do a
+thing but just hover around the door till James came.  Then he went
+in and found out how things were.  It seems the bull gored him--that
+is they call it a 'scratch,' but by their faces I know its a pretty
+serious scratch.
+
+"Three shots entered his body, one a deep scalp wound, one in his
+shoulder, and one in his arm.  They have been probing the wound and
+having some kind of an operation.  They don't know whether he will
+pull through or not.  They say the only thing that is in his favor is
+his splendid health.  The men are talking now about his fine clean
+life, and way he has been doing lately, especially.  It seems he
+never drank nor did a lot of things that people took for granted he
+did.  Oh, Jean, I can't stand it if he doesn't get well so I can
+thank him for saving my baby to me.  To think that if it weren't for
+him lying there dying now I should have nothing left of my beautiful
+baby but a little mangled corpse!
+
+"Jean, I know now why you looked that way when you said I did not
+know Jasper Holt--the fine, true, strong, brave, tender----"
+
+But the tears blinded Jean's eyes and she could read no more.  For a
+moment she bent her head and sobbed behind the vines.  But only for a
+moment.  A frenzy of fear seized her.  He was dying perhaps, and he
+needed her!
+
+She lifted her head with sudden resolve and hastily read the closing
+sentences of the letter.  Then gathering up the scattered sheets she
+hurried in to her father.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+"Father!" said Jean, closing the study door and standing guard in
+front of it lest her mother enter suddenly and be frightened at what
+she was saying, "Father, I must go to Hawk Valley at once,--to-day!
+No, it isn't Eleanor, nor any of them----" she added hastily, as she
+saw the quick apprehension in her father's face.  "They are all well.
+I've just had a long letter from Eleanor.  Father, it's the man who
+saved my life!  He is dying and he needs me.  I know he wants me.  I
+love him, father, and he loves me!  He didn't think you would like
+him, and so we never said anything about it--but now he's dying and I
+_must go_!"
+
+The look in her eyes and the tilt of her chin were her father's own
+when he felt he must fulfil some high calling and would not be
+gainsaid.  He knew at a glance that it was useless to try to stop
+her.  Besides, he had all confidence in her.
+
+"I see, daughter," he said with instant comprehension and a swift
+vision of what the wistfulness in her face had meant all these long
+months.  "How soon can you be ready?  There is a train at six, I
+think."
+
+"I will be ready, father," she said, and then, turning, laid her head
+for an instant on his shoulder and hid her face in his neck.  "Oh,
+father _dear_!"
+
+He folded her close and kissed her.  "Courage, daughter!  Trust in
+our Father's tenderness."
+
+"Thank you so much, father, for understanding," she said, lifting her
+eyes to his face.
+
+"You will want me to go with you, daughter?" he asked, trying to
+think how it would be possible.
+
+"No, father, you couldn't.  You have that funeral to-morrow, and they
+need you," she answered, drying her tears, "and then, it wouldn't do
+to leave mother.  No, I can go alone perfectly well.  Here is
+Eleanor's letter.  Read it with mother.  That will explain a good
+deal.  I will tell you more on the way to the station.  He is the one
+who won the laurel wreath at the tournament.  I told you a little
+about him----"
+
+"Yes, I know.  I understand!  Poor little child!  Now go quickly and
+I will explain to your mother about it.  You haven't much time.
+Don't try to pack more than a suit case.  We can send your trunk on
+after you."
+
+There are not many fathers so wise as this one, who seemed to know
+without asking just what was needed, who refrained from needless
+questions, calmed the frail mother's fears, and helped his girl away
+to her pain or her rejoicing as it should prove to be, with a
+blessing upon her as she left.
+
+It was in the sunset gloaming that she arrived in Hawk Valley and the
+gold of the sky lay behind the hills, ruby lined, like the gold of
+Jasper Holt's roses whose sweet withered leaves lay stored among her
+linen in her bureau drawer at home.
+
+They met her at the station, for a telegram had heralded her coming.
+Quietly, with hushed voices, they met her; for death waited beside
+the couch in the guest room of their home, and they had guessed how
+it must be between these two.
+
+"He seems to be sleeping his life away," said Eleanor, folding a
+cloak about her sister, for she saw that it was going hard with her.
+"They cannot rouse him.  He seems content to go.  He does not want to
+live.  It is strange with one so strong and young----"
+
+The light of battle came into the younger sister's eyes, but she
+answered nothing.
+
+"Better come and get something to eat first," said Eleanor, when they
+reached the house, but Jean shook her head and fled up the stairs.
+
+There could not have been anything quieter than the way she opened
+the door and slipped into that room.  Her very garments seemed to
+cling and hush about her as she walked.  But he opened his eyes at
+once; a strange, wondering look came into them as she came across the
+room and knelt beside him with a smile.  Then she bowed her head and
+laid her lips upon his.
+
+The doctors and the nurse who stood by were as nothing.  There were
+just these two in the universe and all else was hushed.
+
+So she moved about his room, or sat close beside his couch.  She was
+there when he woke in the night, and looked at her, murmuring very
+low:
+
+"Are you real or a dream?"
+
+"I'm real, dear.  I will not go away," she breathed, and laid her
+soft lips on his again.  This time his own responded feebly.
+
+It was in the morning that the doctors said there was hope, though
+they confessed afterward that recovery began with his first sight of
+Jean's face.
+
+Jean scarcely left his side day or night, and seemed tireless.  Often
+she slept on a low stool beside the bed, with her head against his
+pillow.  One bright morning he awoke to find her sleeping so, and
+laid his weak uncertain hand softly upon her head.  She opened her
+eyes, met his smile, and knew that he was better.
+
+"A life for a life," he said softly.  "Dear, you must go to your bed
+and rest.  I will get well now.  You are killing yourself."
+
+But her smile shone forth radiantly.
+
+"I couldn't rest away from you," she said, giving him a dazzling
+look.  "I'm not going to leave you any more, ever!"  Then she paused
+and looked shyly up again.  "Unless," she added archly,
+"unless--you've changed your mind and don't want me.  In that case
+I'll go back home as soon as you are able to be out."
+
+"Oh, _my dear_!" he said softly, and drew her down to his breast with
+his one good arm.  "Do you mean it?  Not leave me again ever?  Are
+you willing to be my wife?  Can you really trust me now?"
+
+"I've trusted you always," she said softly, nestling her face against
+his cheek.  "I trusted you the first time I saw you."
+
+"But your people, Jean?"
+
+"My people all love you and honor you," said Jean, with shining eyes.
+"They think you are magnificent!  They cannot say enough about you.
+Eleanor would bow down and kiss your feet, and my father and mother
+know all about you and have sent me to you willingly.  But, Jasper,
+listen, if every one in this wide world were against you, even my
+dear people, I should marry you anyway and stay with you!  I couldn't
+live any longer without you!"
+
+He looked into her eyes, and he drank in her trust and loveliness,
+and beautiful self-surrender as if it had been some life-giving
+draught; then he laid his hand upon her hair and pressed her closer
+to him.
+
+"Oh, you wonderful woman!" he said.
+
+It did not take Jasper Holt long to get well after that.  Hope and
+joy shone in his eyes so that his face was dazzling to look upon, and
+those who came into his room walked softly, filled with awe, that a
+man who had come and gone among them for years and been held almost
+in contempt, could have within him a soul so great and noble as to
+shine like that in his face.
+
+Jean's father and mother came west for a visit about that time, for
+Jean wrote that there was no use expecting her to return now, and
+when the two met, Jean's father and her lover, and stood hand in
+hand, looking into one another's eyes for a full, long minute before
+either spoke, each felt entirely satisfied.
+
+Of course all this could not go on without the town knowing something
+of the state of things, for everybody came to find out how the hero
+was getting on; and Jasper Holt's men, as they came and went in grave
+concern were beset with questions.  And when Jean arrived, then her
+parents, the town opened eyes of understanding and nodded gravely,
+thinking it was well.
+
+So when it was announced most informally that a wedding would take
+place no one was surprised.  Indeed, Jean's girl friends had been
+embroidering and chattering away over wedding gifts for a week before
+it was whispered officially that they would be needed.  Once more the
+Harrington house was smothered in flowers for Jean.  Gifts came from
+far and near, from all her old admirers who were now also with one
+consent become Holt's admirers.  But the flowers that Jean carried in
+her arms when she came down the stairs, white clad and smiling, to
+meet her bridegroom, were great Golden Sunset roses, gathered by
+Holt's faithful men for her; and among the guests were all those men,
+fifty-four of them, standing grim and embarrassed outside the door to
+watch their leader stand among the flowers and take his beautiful
+girl bride by the hand.
+
+It was sunset again, gold and ruby sunset, when they went home to his
+house, after the wedding supper.
+
+The sky was broad and clear translucent gold, with a deep heart of
+pure ruby blazing out behind the rose-wreathed cottage when Jean saw
+it for the first time.  The roses hung in heavy-headed wealth about
+the doorway, and the men stood double ranked each side of the path.
+They had decked the house for her coming, those rough men who loved
+her lord, with boughs of sweet-smelling branches; heaped up blazing
+logs in the big stone fireplace, and sand-strewn the floor all clean
+and fresh.  There alone at last together in their own home they stood
+with ruby and golden light from the sunset windows mingling with the
+soft flicker of firelight, and looked into each other's eyes and knew
+that their heavenly Father had been good to them.
+
+
+
+
+  BOOKS BY
+  GRACE LIVINGSTON HILL
+
+  April Gold
+  Happiness Hill
+  The Beloved Stranger
+  The Honor Girl
+  Bright Arrows
+  Kerry
+  Christmas Bride
+  Marigold
+  Crimson Roses
+  Miranda
+  Duskin
+  The Mystery of Mary
+  Found Treasure
+  Partners
+  A Girl to Come Home To
+  Rainbow Cottage
+  The Red Signal
+  White Orchids
+  Silver Wings
+  The Tryst
+  The Strange Proposal
+  Through These Fires
+  The Street of the City
+  All Through the Night
+  The Gold Shoe
+
+  Astra
+  Homing
+  Blue Ruin
+  Job's Niece
+  Challengers
+  The Man of the Desert
+  Coming Through the Rye
+  More Than Conqueror
+  Daphne Deane
+  A New Name
+  The Enchanted Barn
+  The Patch of Blue
+  Girl from Montana
+  The Ransom
+  Rose Galbraith
+  The Witness
+  Sound of the Trumpet
+  Sunrise
+  Tomorrow About This Time
+  Amorelle
+  Head of the House
+  Ariel Custer
+  In Tune with Wedding Bells
+  Chance of a Lifetime
+
+  Maris
+  Crimson Mountain
+  Out of the Storm
+  Exit Betty
+  Mystery Flowers
+  The Prodigal Girl
+  Girl of the Woods
+  Re-Creations
+  The White Flower
+  Matched Pearls
+  Time of the Singing of Birds
+  Ladybird
+  The Substitute Guest
+  Beauty for Ashes
+  Stranger Within the Gates
+  The Best Man
+  Spice Box
+  The Seventh Hour
+  Dawn of the Morning
+  The Search
+  Brentwood
+  Cloudy Jewel
+  The Voice in the Wilderness
+
+
+  BOOKS BY
+  RUTH LIVINGSTON HILL
+
+  Mary Arden (_with Grace Livingston Hill_)
+  Morning Is for Joy
+  John Nielson Had a Daughter
+  Bright Conquest
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78752 ***
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+The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Finding of Jasper Holt, 
+by Grace Livingston Hill
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+<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78752 ***</div>
+
+
+<h1>
+<br><br>
+THE FINDING
+<br>
+OF
+<br>
+<i>JASPER HOLT</i>
+</h1>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+By
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+Grace Livingston Hill
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+<i>GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP * PUBLISHERS</i>
+<br><br>
+<i>NEW YORK</i>
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t4">
+  COPYRIGHT, 1915, BY MCBRIDE, NAST & CO.<br>
+  COPYRIGHT, 1916, BY J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p class="t4">
+  PRINTED IN THE U. S. A.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p><a id="chap01"></a></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+THE FINDING OF JASPER HOLT
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br></p>
+
+<h2>
+CHAPTER I
+</h2>
+
+<p>
+Slowly the train rumbled out of the station, gathering
+speed with every moment, and leaving behind the
+friendly faces on the platform.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl who had just entered the car looked about
+her in dismay at the rough looking crowd by whom she
+was surrounded.  It was the last long stretch of her
+journey now, out on the plains and across the desert,
+and the porter of the sleeper had refused to let her
+enter the Pullman coach without a Pullman ticket.  Of
+course it would be all right when the conductor came,
+but&mdash;suppose her brother-in-law had forgotten to
+telegraph for the reservation and she should have to spend
+the night in this car?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She slipped into the only vacant seat and sat
+anxiously awaiting the coming of the conductor, who was
+not anywhere in sight.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For the most part the people about her were rough,
+stolid looking men, with hard brown faces.  Here
+and there a woman was huddled wearily into a corner
+of the seat trying to sleep.  They were commonplace
+folk, nearly all of them, and their very ordinariness
+brought her some measure of assurance, yet she shuddered
+at the thought of spending her night huddled into
+a seat, like the other women, with all those men about,
+free to gaze on her as she slept.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She glanced across the aisle where the seat was
+turned over and two men faced each other, an old man
+and a young one.  The old man sat just across from
+her, his coarse stubbly face turned boldly toward her.
+He had crafty little eyes that intruded with their merest
+glance, windows out of which Coarseness, Hate, Cruelty
+and Fear alike might look; a sensual loose-hung mouth,
+and a whole repulsive atmosphere of cunning that made
+his face seem utterly evil.  Insensibly she shrank farther
+away and looked hurriedly about to see if perchance
+there might not after all be another vacant seat where
+she could be entirely out of his range.  Then her eyes
+suddenly met the eyes of his companion who faced her,
+the young man in the turned-over seat, and she
+wondered how she could have failed to notice him at once.
+There was something about his face&mdash;perhaps it was
+the splendid gray eyes that were looking at her so keenly
+and respectfully, or was it the firm chin and almost stern
+set of the beautiful lines of lip and brow&mdash;that gave
+her confidence in him at once.  For there was a strength
+and beauty in his face such as one seldom sees blended
+in a man, which marked him at once as being different
+from others.  There was nothing weak nor womanish
+about him, in spite of the perfect modelling of his
+features and the clear coloring of his skin.  The fine
+golden-brown hair that rippled back from his forehead
+like a halo gave the impression of curling out of
+perverseness rather than from the owner's wish.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He was tall and lean and wiry, yet giving the idea
+of great strength and fine training.  If it had not been
+for an abnormal gravity and the sternness about his
+mouth she would have judged him to be a mere boy,
+yet there was an air of maturity about him that puzzled
+her.  But his gray eyes met hers kindly, understandingly,
+as if he knew exactly what she was thinking&mdash;all
+her anxiety&mdash;and would let her know that she was safe,
+that he would see that she was safe!  It was with an
+almost startled feeling that she met his eyes a second
+time as if to be sure she had not been mistaken, and then
+settled back into her seat, somehow comforted, assured;
+as if he had spoken to her and told her not to fear.  It
+was really as if something had looked out of their two
+souls and acknowledged a sort of mute introduction.
+And yet he had not been obtrusive, and almost
+immediately his eyes had been withdrawn from her face as
+if he would not intrude.  He was looking now at the
+dreadful old man, rebuking him for his interest in her
+it would seem, rebuking most effectually yet without a
+word, for the old man wriggled around uneasily in his
+seat and turned his eyes away to look out of the
+window, the hate in his face getting the uppermost as he
+cast a furtive, fearsome glance at the younger man and
+then turned back to the window.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were a curious pair; the younger man had the
+air of being the keeper of the older one.  The girl
+wondered how they came to be travelling together, they
+seemed so absolutely alien to each other.  It was obvious
+that the young man had some power over the other,
+and this fact gave the girl comfort.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+To these two men the entrance of the lovely girl
+into the monotony of the journey was a refreshment.
+Even the old man, Scathlin, whose low type of life
+received only fleshly impressions, and who had grown
+up from his tainted babyhood without honor for any
+woman, felt the fineness of her nature, the rareness of
+her modest beauty as she came near.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+To Jasper Holt she was the sudden startling revelation
+of some pure dream of his childhood, the reality
+of which he had come to doubt.  His knowledge of the
+world told him that probably she was frail and human
+and selfish like all the rest if one came to know her, but
+for the sake of what she seemed to be he was glad of
+the vision, and would protect her at all costs because
+she was a woman and ought to have been perfect.  That
+was his attitude toward the world of women at that
+time.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Nevertheless as he looked again at the pure profile
+turned now toward her window, and studied the sweet
+outline of the firm little chin, pleasant lips, the gentle
+contour of cheek and lash and brow, the luminous eyes
+that were glowing for the moment at the stain of sunset
+beginning to trickle through the gloomy gray of the
+sky, he could not but feel that here was something
+different.  It was something for which he had been
+hoping all his life&mdash;searching for, but never finding.
+Something it was good just to know existed; something
+whose existence would make even a stranger better and
+braver and purer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She was slight, small, exquisitely fashioned; dressed
+in some simple, clinging, dark blue material of form
+so suitable as to make one fail to notice just what it
+was.  Sheer white rolled-back collar and cuffs set out
+the white throat and the small gloved hands; the close,
+dark blue hat with its graceful tilt and simple garnishing
+seemed just the loveliest setting for the beautiful
+face framed in its soft dark hair.  Her face was
+wonderfully pure, free from self-consciousness and pride; yet
+she looked as if she knew her own mind and could stand
+like a rock for a principle.  There was also a determined
+little uplift to her chin that showed a spirit of her own,
+and a fleeting dimple that promised a merry appreciation
+of humor if one knew her well enough; but the
+whole dainty person was good to look upon and Holt
+kept the vision within his consciousness while he
+covered Scathlin with his gaze.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He loathed his task of watching Scathlin, and somehow
+the sight of the pure-faced girl had made it even
+more distasteful.  For almost two weeks now he had
+been at it, day and night.  He had not let Scathlin out
+of his sight for one moment since he had found him in
+Pittsburgh two days after the theft of his wallet
+containing valuable papers, land grants, water rights and
+other documents relating to his silver mines and other
+property.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Holt had suspected the old man at once when the
+wallet was missing, partly because Scathlin had been
+seen twice in conversation with the man Harrington
+who was Holt's sworn enemy and who was doing all
+he could to ruin his prospects and dispute his rights to
+the water power which made the working of his mines
+possible; and partly because Scathlin had been
+dismissed summarily from Holt's employ but a few days
+previous to the disappearance of the property.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He had trailed Scathlin to Pittsburgh where he
+found him mounted on a high stool in the station
+restaurant eating a comfortable breakfast.  The old rascal
+turned white under his tan and stubble, and dropped
+his knife and fork loudly on the marble of the counter
+at the appearance of his former employer; but the
+cunning in his face had come at once to the front, and
+he welcomed Holt as if it were the pleasantest thing in
+the world to have him appear just at that lonely moment
+and eat breakfast with him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was Holt's way not to settle the matter right then
+and there by turning the old man over to the police on
+suspicion, but to attach himself to Scathlin and find out
+exactly where those papers were, and who were the
+man's employers in the theft.  He was wary enough
+to know that Scathlin might have already got rid of
+the wallet, and he wished if possible to find out what
+he had done with the papers and get Scathlin into his
+power until he could make him produce them or tell
+their whereabouts.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Harrington was superintendent of large mine
+interests in Hawk Valley, located near Holt's veins of
+silver, and owned by an Eastern syndicate.  Holt knew
+that capital and cunning might do a great deal to cripple
+his interests if they once got him in their power.
+Therefore he had shadowed Scathlin day and night all these
+days.  On pretence of wanting company for a pleasure
+trip he had gone wherever Scathlin professed to be
+going, giving him no opportunity to even telegraph to
+any of the other conspirators for money or instructions;
+eating with him, sleeping with him,&mdash;at least pretending
+to sleep&mdash;sticking to him every minute and watching
+him every waking second.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It had not been a pleasant task.  Scathlin was a
+foul-mouthed, foul-souled companion for any man to
+tie to, and his personal habits were anything but
+attractive.  Time and again Holt had almost turned from his
+task with disgust, resolved to let his rights and all go
+rather than be tied to the creature another hour.  Yet
+he had stuck to him; and now, after these many days of
+cunning and craftiness, of trickeries too numerous to
+mention, of attempted escape on Scathlin's part; after
+taking side trips to funerals of Scathlin's relatives who
+never had existed, except in imagination; visits to
+business men who were supposed to be hounding Scathlin to
+his death and yet who were never found,&mdash;after all this
+they were on their way back to Hawk Valley!  Scathlin
+had come to the end of his money and his wits, and had
+been compelled to accept the escort and financial aid
+of Holt back to the place from which he had started,
+because he did not dare to do anything else.  This he
+did both on his own account and for the sake of his
+employers, who would not hesitate to leave him in the
+lurch to save themselves, and who had warned him
+above all things not to let Holt suspect his mission with
+those papers to the Eastern syndicate.  Besides, there
+was always the hope that he might yet escape and make
+his way back in time to present those papers to the
+man whom Harrington had said would pay him a big
+reward for bringing them.  Harrington and his men
+could not have done it without suspicion, but the plan
+was that Scathlin should profess to have found something
+valuable to the syndicate and be willing to sell it
+at a good price.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was no wonder that Scathlin's eyes had a hunted
+look, and his bad old face under its stubbly growth was
+almost pitifully desperate as he looked at the fresh face
+of the sweet young girl, and for the moment forgot his
+misery, gloating over her beauty, while Holt seemed to
+be engaged with the sunset view.  But Holt caught the
+gleam in his victim's eye and his heart burned hotly
+within him.  He could have crushed the creature then
+and there for the insolence of his gaze.  He could have
+crushed him like vermin and felt no sin.  All the man in
+him roused to resent the evil look.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Scathlin!"  His tone was cutting with command
+and the old man turned cringing and met the steely
+glance of his captor, then impatient and trembling with
+anger began to look again out of the window; again the
+crimson wrath surged up his leathery neck and suffused
+his coarse features.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl, half aware of what had been going on,
+turned and took it all in, a frightened color flickering
+up into her cheeks.  Her eyes, growing large with vague
+horror, met Holt's steely gaze, saw it change and soften
+reassuringly, as if he were holding at bay a loathsome
+blood-hound and wished her to understand she need
+not fear.  The girl, with one fleeting look of gratitude
+toward the young man, turned back again to her window
+as if nothing had happened.  In fact no onlooker
+would have suspected that anything at all had happened,
+and yet really a little drama had been enacted and all
+the actors understood it as thoroughly as if it had been
+spoken.  But one word only had been audible, and the
+girl wasn't sure she had heard that aright.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The dusk dropped down and the train sped on over
+the plains.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And now the sunset stains grew deeper and blended
+into gold and crimson and lifted the gray into clear
+opal spaces of luminous beauty, spreading the panoply
+of color far along the horizon of the plain.  It was a
+thing to make one look in awe, to hush evil thoughts and
+bring a holiness to hearts.  Something of its calm and
+strength crept into the girl's expression as she watched
+it, and once she half turned to see if Holt was watching
+too.  But Holt was sitting facing the other way and
+could see only the fading trails of glory in the sky as it
+sped away from his gaze, though he had caught the
+reflection of wonder from her face, and averted his own
+eyes as if from too holy a sight.  Those who knew
+Holt, or thought they knew him, would have laughed
+loud and long at such an idea of him, but it was true.
+The girl felt it as she turned safely back to her sunset.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Scathlin was not enjoying the view.  He was looking
+furtively on every side to see if there could be by
+any chance a good place where he might risk throwing
+out that cursed wallet and hope ever to find it again.  If
+only there would be a station&mdash;or he could risk dropping
+it out of the window near some water tank or
+something.  But the plain slid by, a level monotony, broken
+only by the rose and emerald and gold of the setting
+sun.  Scathlin grew more and more desperate.  It was
+growing dark, and he dared not throw the wallet where
+he could not find it again, or where someone else might
+find it&mdash;and yet!  They were nearing Hawk Valley.
+The morning would bring them within the ranging of
+Holt's men&mdash;that band of trained and devoted outlaws
+who were as relentless in their justice as they were
+careless of their lives.  No mercy was to be expected
+from their hands if once he fell among them.  He shivered
+as a tall shaft of a bare tree, dead and stark, stood
+in the distance against the clear gold of the sunset
+line.  It was on such a tree he had seen a cattle thief
+hang, ghastly against the sky, as he rode by once just
+at nightfall.  It might easily be his fate before another
+sunset.  If he could not get away in the night all
+chance of escape before they reached Hawk Valley was
+gone, for well he knew Jasper Holt's men were set at
+intervals along the way, sentinels ready to head him
+off.  And what treatment could he expect from either
+Jasper Holt or his men with that incriminating wallet
+in his pocket?  He had been a fool to take up with
+Harrington's offer.  Money or no money, it wasn't
+worth the risk.  He was getting to be an old man and
+not so ready to face death as when his blood was hot
+and his hand steady.  He had not even any weapons of
+defence, thanks to his grim captor who had disarmed
+him while he slept, the first night of their journey
+together.  There had never been any open recognition
+of the fact between them, save that one glance as
+Scathlin put his hand to the pocket where it had been
+and was not.  He had charged with his eyes in one look
+of helpless fury, and Holt's clear gray eyes had met his
+unflinchingly in acknowledgment.  That had been all,
+but Scathlin knew then that there was nothing for him
+but to evade Holt and get away if possible.  He would
+stand no chance in an open conflict, and his captor was
+untiringly vigilant.  He glanced again at the stern
+face opposite him, wondering what would be the fate
+to which he was surely, swiftly hastening.  States
+prison?  Or would they take the law into their own
+hands?  He knew what that might mean only too well,
+and again the desperate look passed over his face with
+Hate and Murder looking dimly from his eyes.  How
+he would like to spring at that slim brown throat
+opposite him and throttle the life from the young fellow.
+Only a kid,&mdash;a mere kid,&mdash;and yet he had withstood
+many, and had power to crush Scathlin in spite of all
+his boasted cunning.  The look of a serpent crept into
+the little gleaming eyes of the old man as he noticed
+the quick glance his companion cast at the girl across
+the aisle; and his own eyes followed filled with hate.
+Yes, he would like to drive his fat, hairy fingers into
+the white throat of the girl before the eyes of her
+gallant defender if only he had Holt helpless!  But instead,
+here was he, helpless himself!  And he must find a
+way to escape before morning, or else get rid of that
+wallet in some safe way.  Surely, surely Holt would
+be off his guard sometimes for a little space.  He had
+scarcely slept a wink for four days; how could he
+endure it much longer?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Scathlin's cogitations were cut short by the
+entrance of the conductor at last and he turned to watch
+the girl as she spoke to him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I was to have had a section reserved for me," she
+was saying to the conductor.  "My brother-in-law,
+Mr. James Harrington of Hawk Valley, arranged for it,
+and telegraphed me that it was all right.  See, I have
+the telegram.  But the porter said I must come in here
+until I saw you because I had no ticket for the Pullman."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She held out the yellow envelope and the conductor
+looked at it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Your brother's name is Harrington?  You are
+going to Hawk Valley?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He looked at her sharply.  "Well, just wait a few
+minutes till I go through the next car and then I'll see
+to it.  It ought to be all right."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He bustled on his way attending to his passengers
+and the girl sat back again to wait.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At the name "Harrington" Scathlin had turned
+with a start and looked toward the girl; but even in
+the act he caught the narrow gleam of Holt's
+half-closed eyes, and, remembering, turned back again to his
+window while his thoughts went pounding into new
+channels.  He had made a mistake, of course, to let
+Holt see that he had heard, so he kept his eyes toward
+the window until it grew quite dark.  But he had a
+plan at last.  In another minute he got upon his feet,
+yawning, and declared his intention of getting a drink
+of water from the cooler at the other end of the car.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Good idea!" said Holt, rising and following his
+captive down the aisle lazily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Scathlin reached the cooler first and took his drink,
+while Holt stood waiting for the cup and let Scathlin go
+back to his seat alone, apparently not noticing him.
+Scathlin settled back in his seat with one eye on Holt,
+and one eye on the girl.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Holt stood drinking in a leisurely way, apparently
+interested in looking through the glass of the door into
+the next car though he was fully aware that Scathlin
+was fumbling in the inner pocket of his flannel shirt.
+He lingered, hoping that the old man would do something
+which would make him more certain of what he
+already believed to be true, and saw Scathlin finally,
+after repeated fumbling under the shirt, draw forth a
+small dark object that, in the one swift glimpse Holt
+had of it, looked like his own leather wallet in search
+of which he had come this long hard journey.  Anxious
+to see what Scathlin's next move was to be, he
+remained quietly standing and still apparently looking
+through the car door, though not a move of Scathlin's
+was lost upon him.  To his amazement he suddenly saw
+Scathlin bend forward and pick up something from the
+car floor, then lean toward the girl in the opposite seat
+and put the object in her lap, at the same time speaking
+to her.  Had the man picked up something the girl had
+dropped or was he&mdash;&mdash;?  Preposterous!  The fellow
+wouldn't dare, with a strange girl.  She was smiling
+and looking down at the thing in her lap and seemed
+to be thanking him.  She had probably dropped her
+handkerchief or pocketbook and Scathlin had picked it
+up.  Holt sauntered leisurely back to his seat and found
+Scathlin fumbling with his shoe lace.  He studied him
+narrowly and fancied that he detected a look of cunning
+satisfaction on the stubbly old face, yet was puzzled to
+know what caused it.  Had the scoundrel dared to give
+those papers to the girl when he stood in full view?  It
+seemed incredible,&mdash;and yet?  If he had, Holt's hands
+were pretty well tied and he had two to watch instead
+of one.  He didn't like the idea of shadowing this
+beautiful young woman.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Just then the conductor returned and spoke to the girl.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, your berth's reserved for you all right, but
+it was in the name of Harrington.  It's section seven
+in the next car.  This your baggage?  Come this way
+and I'll show you."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl followed the conductor, with a half
+hesitating glance toward Scathlin who was engaged
+with his shoe.  Holt noticed she held her hand bag
+clasped tightly as if she were afraid it might be taken
+from her.  When she was gone the night settled down
+unpleasantly about them and Scathlin, apparently worn
+out, snored as he had not dared to do for a week.  But
+Holt sat up and studied his problem.  He could not
+afford to take any chances on sleep that night;
+moreover his heart was in a tumult.  This girl was coming
+to Hawk Valley, to visit the Harringtons.  She was a
+sister of Mrs. Harrington, the handsomest woman, the
+best dressed woman, the most influential woman in all
+that Valley.  Would he ever see the girl?  Sometimes,
+from afar perhaps&mdash;and a bitter look swept over his
+face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Scathlin slept on, with his coarse lower jaw down
+dropped, and all his unpleasant features relaxed.  He
+was no charming picture to look upon.  Holt noticed
+that there was no longer that furtive grasp of one hand
+upon his breast which had been since their journey
+together had begun.  Scathlin's horny hands, with their
+grasping look of cunning, were lying idly by his side,
+and Scathlin himself was enjoying a well-earned rest,
+his heavily shod feet sprawled out under Holt's seat.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The night droned on; the train sped on its way
+through the darkness, and still Holt sat wide awake and
+thinking.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I can't quite dope things out," he said to himself
+as he settled back in a new position.
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p><a id="chap02"></a></p>
+
+<h2>
+CHAPTER II
+</h2>
+
+<p>
+Meanwhile Jean Grayson had followed her bustling
+conductor into the sleeper with a sense of deep
+relief.  She had been frankly frightened since the
+rough old tramp-looking creature across the aisle had
+landed a worn-looking wallet surreptitiously in her lap
+and asked if he hadn't heard her say she was going to
+Mr. Harrington at Hawk Valley, and would she be
+so good as to give that case of important papers to
+him and not let anyone else know she had it?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had accepted the trust because she did not
+know what else to do; and after all, it seemed a simple
+enough request.  The man had explained that he had
+to go off in another direction at the next stop and could
+not deliver the goods himself and it was most important
+that it get to her brother at once.  There did not seem
+to be any good reason why she should refuse, and yet
+it had frightened her, and she wished with all her
+heart that she had gone with the conductor to see
+about the sleeper and not stayed here to have this dirty
+old leather case put into her keeping by that dirty old
+man.  She did not know what to do with it.  She
+hated to put it in her dear little new handbag, and she
+restrained her well cut nose from a shrinking sniff as
+she hastily put it out of sight.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had sat looking out of the darkened window
+with her heart in a tumult as the tall young man with
+the fine eyes and the air of reckless assurance came
+back to his seat.  What had he to do with the old fellow?
+Could he be his son?  No, never!  But did he know
+about the important papers?  Could he have put the
+old man up to giving them to her, so that, under some
+pretence or other, he himself might speak to her?  She
+did not dare to look his way lest he should presume
+upon the old man's speaking.  This, her first Western
+trip, was a fearsome thing to her, although she revelled
+in the joy of it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Yet, when she arose to follow the conductor and
+gave one swift comprehensive glance toward the
+opposite seat, she saw a respectful pair of gray eyes
+looking interestedly at her, with nothing presumptuous in
+them, and she instantly felt that there was no need to
+fear that young man.  He might be dressed like a
+cow-boy, but he had eyes like a gentleman.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Miss Grayson was tired, for she had come a long
+journey, stopping a day on the way with relatives who
+had taken her sight-seeing and kept her going every
+minute, so that she was glad to creep into her berth as
+soon as the porter had made it up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She shrank in dislike from the leather case in her
+handbag, and after some hesitation took it out and
+wrapped it in a leaf from a magazine she had brought
+with her.  She could not bear to have the thing in with
+all her nice fresh handkerchiefs and dainty little articles.
+It seemed contaminating.  She had a half impulse to
+throw it away or lose it; and then her conscience
+reproached her loudly for so dishonorable a thought.
+The papers might be valuable, of course, and in that
+case her brother would have just cause to blame her if
+she did not bring them.  At the same time she hated
+the thought of carrying around anything that had been
+in the possession of that repulsive-looking man.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As she settled herself to sleep and drew around her
+the folds of the soft silk Pullman robe that had been
+her mother's parting surprise, loving thoughts of those
+she had left behind her filled her mind.  All the little
+tender words, looks and acts of loving sacrifice that
+she might be well fitted out for this journey, came
+flocking to be recognized, until unbidden tears filled her
+eyes.  This silken robe was an extravagance, she knew,
+and would be paid for by many a denial on the part of
+father and mother, but it represented their great love
+for her.  A thought of what they would have felt about
+her being accosted by that rough man and asked to
+carry that package for him came to trouble her, yet
+what other possible thing was there for her to do but
+to accept it?  It certainly could not be dynamite or an
+infernal machine.  Her mother would have thought of
+something of that nature the first thing,&mdash;or infection,
+perhaps smallpox or something equally horrible.  That
+was possible, of course.  But still, the man looked
+healthy enough.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her father?  Yes, her father would undoubtedly
+have approved of her taking the package.  Her father
+was one who never thought of himself when anything
+in the shape of duty demanded attention, and he had
+brought her up with the same feeling.  Anyway, now
+that she had taken it and agreed to deliver it, there
+seemed nothing more to be done but to keep her word,
+and it was a simple enough affair, of course, and after
+all, quite reasonable.  Why should it bother her so?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Nevertheless, it mingled with her dreaming thoughts
+as she drifted off to sleep, and a kind of assurance with
+regard to it came as she remembered the steady, clear
+eyes of the younger man.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Softly in her silken wrapping she lay and slept
+while the monotonous hum of the rushing train only
+lulled her to deeper slumber.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suddenly, in the midst of the commonplace sounds
+of the journey there came a grinding, grating shriek
+as of strong metal hard pressed and unable to
+withstand.  A crash, a jolt, then terrible confusion.  The
+very foundations of the earth seemed upshaken, the
+cars climbing through the awful air, then pitching,
+writhing, tossing, and at last settling uncertainly in
+strange positions, while the night was filled with horrid
+sounds too varying to analyze.  Cries of women and
+children!  Groans of men in mortal agony; breaking
+glass and splintering timbers; rending of metal in
+reluctant, discordant clang!  And below, rising menacingly
+to threaten all, came the lurid glare of flame, the
+wild, exultant crackle of fire that knows its opportunity
+and power; the desperate hysterical clamor of those
+who have discovered it, and the mad, brave shouts of
+those who would attempt to conquer it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean Grayson awoke in dazed bewilderment.  For
+a moment the noise seemed a part of her dream; her
+strange, huddled position on the wood at the foot of
+her berth, a figment of her imagination.  But almost at
+once the cold breath from the broken window brought
+her to her senses.  An accident!  It had come then!
+The thing which her mother had feared and tried to
+provide against.  She was in a railroad accident all
+alone and out in the wilds of the West where she was
+utterly unacquainted with anyone!  It was characteristic
+of Jean that, when she realized her plight, she
+thought first of how her mother would take the news,
+and not of how she would bear the experience, or
+whether it meant life and death to herself.  That she
+must get out of danger and let her mother know of her
+safety was her instant impulse, and from that moment
+her senses were keenly on the alert for every detail.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her mother's horror of railroad accidents made the
+possibilities of her present position as plain to her as
+if she had lived the whole experience before.  She
+seemed to comprehend in a flash just what had happened,
+and about the position the car was in at the time.
+The lurid glare that was already leaping and flickering
+outside showed jagged glass in the window frame, and
+scattered gleaming fragments all about her.  She must
+move carefully not to be cut by them.  Fire!  That was
+the next thing she took in.  That meant that her only
+hope of life was to get out at once.  Cautiously she
+looked out of the window to get a better idea of things
+and her heart stood still with the horror of it all.  For
+one little terrible second she forgot her mother's fears
+and felt her own gasping, choking terror at what was
+before her.  One moment she faced a probable death,
+felt her helplessness, and gave a cry of anguish for
+those who had always protected her from peril, and
+who were far away.  Then her own brave courage
+rose and steadied her nerves.  She resolved not to die
+if there were any possible way out of it; and terror
+relaxed its hold upon her at sight of her courage.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With resolute determination she held her horror-stricken
+eyes to take in the situation in detail.  She
+must know everything, see everything, if she were to
+save herself, for she comprehended readily enough that
+as things were it was every one for himself.  No one
+was going to risk his life to hunt her up and drag her
+forth from the pile of doomed cars.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The train had been crossing a river when the crash
+came.  There was water down below, black and terrifying
+in the glare of flame that was leaping like great
+tongues among the ruins just ahead.  She could not
+tell if the cause of the accident had been a broken bridge
+or a collision, and knew little about such things to
+judge.  The cars were piled one upon another in wild
+confusion, and the Pullman in which she was immured
+was standing on its forward end almost perpendicularly.
+The engine was overturned and fire was creeping
+upward and threatening the whole mass; while
+below, the great black stretch of water reflected the
+sight, making doubly terrible every feature.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean drew back and attempted to look out into the
+car, but the curtains were jammed tight by some heavy
+object which had fallen against them, and she could
+get no idea of the situation on that side.  When she at
+last succeeded in pulling the curtain away enough to
+look she saw only a dark precipice below, with writhing
+forms and jumbled shapes.  No one seemed to
+have thought of any way of escape for the passengers,
+or to be making any attempt to get them out before
+it was too late.  The shouts and cries that came from
+below had no authority among them.  It was plain
+that the only hope of escape was through the broken
+window and down into that abyss of water and fire
+below.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean drew back and felt carefully around for her
+shoes.  She could not take much with her, and she
+must work rapidly.  The shoes and little handbag
+were almost under her, and she drew on the shoes,
+fastening a button or two.  She hesitated a second with
+her hand on the precious bag.  All her money, her
+trunk check and her little bits of jewelry were in it.
+She must save them if she could.  Those papers that
+had been trusted to her were there also.  Quickly she
+stuffed the bag within the breast of her garments and
+fastened it there with a large safety pin, with which
+she had fastened the berth curtain the night before,
+when a refractory button kept coming undone.  Her
+heart gave a leap of excitement.  Now, in her need,
+she remembered it, and, groping, found it there in
+the semi-darkness, big enough to be found when
+wanted, and to hold the bag in safety.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She gave one frightened look out the window
+at the growing, widening horrors below, and then began
+slowly, cautiously to creep through, feet first.  It was
+a dangerous and painful task, as there was much glass
+still adhering firmly to the window frame, and she
+found that she had to draw back at first and hunt up
+her hair brush with which to break away the sharp
+edges and make the opening large enough.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It seemed an hour, though in reality it was but a
+moment or two, before she finally succeeded in getting
+out of the window, so that she clung, suspended, both
+arms still inside the berth, but her body hanging over
+the abyss of black depths mingled with flames.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dark shapes were moving about down there, dark,
+moaning creatures were dropping with sickening
+splashes into the water.  She dared not look to see if
+they rose.  Her head grew light, and she felt her fingers
+slipping.  Her strength would not hold her long, and
+she was almost on the point of trying to creep back
+inside the berth when a long cry as of the lost, mingled
+with moans and screams of women and children, arose
+from below, and she saw a great sheet of fire leap up
+and lick the lower end of the very car to which she
+clung.  She could feel the heat of it where she was,
+and but for the slight inclination of the car it would
+have been between her and the water.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With a low moan of horror she closed her eyes and
+let herself drop.  Down, down, she felt herself falling,
+through æons of time and space, and knew that she
+was wondering how her mother would bear it when
+she heard.  Then the shock of the water, and darkness
+closed over her in a smothering chill.
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p><a id="chap03"></a></p>
+
+<h2>
+CHAPTER III
+</h2>
+
+<p>
+She came up again gasping, choking, aware of the
+shouts and the noise, of the struggling figures and
+dropping objects; aware that she was only one more
+in the way and might better have stayed where she
+was; then struck out feebly; but something fell upon
+her head, something soft like a-pillow perhaps, but
+enough to put her under water again, and she felt that
+this was the end.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When she could get her breath again a strong arm
+was pulling her away from the crowd and noise.  There
+were things in the way, people and heavy objects, but
+she was being steered through them all, out of the
+labyrinth of horror and into dark, still waters.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There followed a long stretch of toiling through
+the water, which seemed like ages, when her breath
+came in gasps, and her heart seemed pounding her very
+life away as she ploughed through the blackness,
+making a brave effort to keep up with the strong, steady
+strokes beside her, though scarcely aware of what she
+was doing.  Life seemed going from her ebb by ebb
+and it was not worth while to try to hold on to it any
+longer, and yet the memory of her mother's fears kept
+her trying.  After that she kept on, unconscious
+of anything save that she must keep going, she must,
+she must&mdash;till finally even that dim impulse flickered
+out and the water flowed about her very soul; softly,
+dreamily, possessingly.  Yet still she was drawn on
+and on through the blackness to a distant shore.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He dragged her up on the bank at last, the man who
+had saved her out of the chaos of peril and brought her
+with him at the expense of his own almost exhausted
+strength.  He was gasping and all but finished, himself;
+when he dropped beside her among the tall reeds that
+served to shelter them from the night, and for a few
+moments they lay quiet, passive; the girl unconscious,
+the man panting for breath and unable as yet to think
+what to do next; two stranger souls in common peril,
+knowing naught of each other or of what was before
+them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In a moment, however, the chill of the night roused
+the man, and he shivered and sat up.  Whoever it was
+that he had saved&mdash;a woman&mdash;her long hair and
+trammelling garments had already told him that&mdash;she
+would die if she lay long in that condition.  What could
+he do?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He shivered again and got up.  He shook the
+water from himself.  His splendid strength reasserted
+itself, and his breath was steady now.  He was
+surprised that even a swim like that, encumbered as he
+was with heavy clothing and shoes, and bearing another
+helpless creature, should have knocked him out so
+completely.  Then he reflected that he had lost much
+sleep during the past few days; still, that was not
+enough to make him feel so worthless.  He shook
+himself again and stretched his muscles, as he used to do
+on the football field in his nearby boyhood days, after
+a knockout, when he heard the call back into the game.
+If ever there was a call to come back into the game it
+was now, for this woman would die if he did not do
+something at once.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The night was wild and chill.  Across the river,
+farther away than he dreamed they had come, the sky
+was lurid with the fire that flared grotesquely against
+the darkness.  The current must have carried them
+downstream as they crossed.  He had thought to go
+back and help save others so soon as he had this one
+safe, but the way was far and this woman was
+apparently helpless, perhaps unconscious, or at least
+exhausted.  If she lay here in her wet garments she
+would die from the cold.  He must get her to her feet
+and keep her warm somehow.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Stooping, he lifted her light weight and bore her
+farther up the bank into the woods, then laid her down
+on the ground and knelt to listen to her heart.  It was
+beating weakly.  If only he had fire or stimulant or
+both!  Perhaps there was a house somewhere near.
+He would carry her a little way and see.  So he picked
+her up again, holding her close to keep her warm, and
+struggled on through the thick undergrowth in the
+darkness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+That night was an experience to be remembered
+through a lifetime.  The young strength of the man
+seemed to revive with the necessity, and he carried the
+woman a long distance before, with the warmth of
+his body and the motion of the going, the girl came to
+her senses and was able to walk for herself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For the first instant of her waking to consciousness
+her soul seemed to stand still with horror.  Where was
+she and who was carrying her?  What would happen
+to her?  Would she ever see her home and friends
+again?  The questions rushed madly through her mind
+and almost paralyzed her thoughts for an instant.  Then
+memory reasserted itself.  All the facts of the disaster
+as she had seen them, came back.  She knew that whoever
+was carrying her must have saved her out of kindness.
+She knew that he must have had to swim alone
+during at least a part of the way through the water, for
+she could distinctly remember, now, the horror of being
+unable to keep up any longer.  Then there was something
+else, a kindly, strong, impersonal clasp that made
+her unafraid.  After a minute she signified her ability
+to walk, and he set her down at once, yet held her arm
+and put his own about her for support.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"If you can walk it will keep you warm," he said
+briefly; and with no apology for his arm about her he
+hurried her on.  It was all she could do to keep up with
+his pace, and when her feet faltered he seemed to almost
+lift her from the ground as he still strode on.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We must keep going," he said again, as if he
+had no more breath to waste in words.  On and on they
+went, but still they did not come to any human habitation.
+Finally, when he saw that she could go no further,
+and that she needed rest, he made her sit down in a
+sheltered place behind some trees.  Later, when she
+was almost asleep, she knew her head was resting
+against his shoulder.  Once in the night she awoke and
+saw a fire blazing near her, and realized that a man's
+coat was spread over her and she was warm and
+comparatively dry.  There was no one in sight, but she
+heard a step not far away and the crackling of breaking
+branches.  She did not wonder how the fire came.  She
+slept again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was in the early dawn that she awoke sharply as
+if she had been called, and stretching her stiff limbs
+looked wildly about her, startlingly aware of the night
+that had passed and her strange isolation with an
+unknown man.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He lay upon the ground at the other side of the fire
+which had been piled high with wood and was burning
+beautifully, his strong fine figure stretched wearily
+at full length, the brown curly hair tumbled back from
+his bronzed face, which in spite of its soil and grime
+showed a manly beauty.  The utter weariness and
+relaxation of his body made him seem like a boy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl looked and wondered, and turned away to
+remember.  He must have had to swim with her quite
+a distance, and drag her to land after she ceased to
+help herself.  Also he must have carried her a long
+journey.  He had upheld her when she walked beside
+him, and had sat against a tree and made her lean
+against him part of the time while she slept.  Then
+how did he get that fire?  Some mystery known to
+woodcraft no doubt.  She glanced at herself with the
+thick brown coat tucked carefully about her still.  She
+touched it softly, almost reverently with her finger-tips.
+It was dry!  He had contrived to dry it and put it
+about her!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She looked over at the man again.  He wore a
+brown flannel shirt and heavy trousers like the coat.
+He must have been cold himself without his coat while
+she slept in comfort.  And he had stayed awake all
+night to keep the fire going to dry her things and keep
+her warm!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There were tears in her eyes as her glance lingered
+on the boyish face.  She pictured writing to her mother
+what he was like, this strong man like an angel who
+had saved her.  Then she shuddered at the thought of
+the wreck and all she had gone through.  What would
+have been her fate if he had not put his arm beneath
+her when she was sinking?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Presently, as the dawn crept higher up the sky and
+lit the world with rose and golden light, she stole shyly
+from her couch under the tree and, stepping softly,
+came to where he was and tucked the coat carefully
+about him, as he lay, one cheek pillowed on his arm.
+Her hand brushed lightly against his hair, and she
+marvelled at its softness&mdash;like a baby's.  His skin, too,
+had that clear ruddy glow of perfect health, even
+beneath the grime of the night.  She looked down on him
+with wonder and a great gratitude that seemed to
+almost overwhelm her.  Perhaps all people felt so
+toward men who had saved their lives; but Jean
+Grayson had never before seen a man who seemed
+one-half so strong and great and good as this mere boy
+looked to her now in the early light of morning, asleep
+upon the ground and soundly unaware of her tender
+ministration.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She slipped away quietly without wakening him,
+and stood a moment looking about her upon the strange
+unknown world, wondering where she was.  What
+State was this?  She could not even be sure of that.
+Then she looked down at herself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She wore the long black Pullman robe of soft silk,
+sadly draggled now and torn in two or three places.
+How beautiful and fine it had been but a few short
+hours before!  And her other pretty clothes that had
+been bought and made so carefully at the cost of such
+family sacrifice?  Were they all gone?  Would her
+trunk burn up?  Or had it gone on ahead of her when
+she had stopped to visit her friends and so escaped
+destruction?  But she dismissed the thought as
+unworthy of one who had but just escaped with her life.
+What were clothes beside life?  But how was she to
+go on with her journey looking like this?  Her pretty
+travelling gown!  She felt a pang for that.  Well, she
+must do the best she could.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her hair was the worst of all, but she could put
+that right.  Her precious handbag!  She put her hand
+to her breast to be sure it was there safe.  Yes, it was
+still fastened to her clothing, though the pin had torn
+away and there was but a small hold of the cloth still
+in it.  She pulled it out and examined it, seated behind
+a tree away from the fire and the sleeping man.  Yes,
+the bag was safe, and its contents, but its beauty was
+gone, for the thin leather finish was blistered and
+peeling from the inner lining.  The things inside were all
+there, even the strange man's leather case, wrapped in
+a wet pulp of paper.  She took the paper off and threw
+it from her; then realizing how few worldly goods she
+was now possessed of, she reached and spread the
+paper out to dry.  It would be needed, of course.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her small store of money was safe, and her bits of
+pins and watch, the little timepiece ticking bravely on
+as if it were alive and trying to be cheerful under
+adverse circumstances.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean took out her combs and hair pins which she
+had stowed in the pocket of her handbag that they
+might be easily found in the morning, and felt rich
+indeed to have them.  They would assist very materially
+in her toilet.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With the aid of the combs she presently had her
+hair soft and shining in its accustomed coils and fluffy
+masses, for fortunately for her appearance that morning,
+her hair was of the kind that tries to curl in spite
+of floods and winds, and it fluffed its prettiest with the
+first rays of the sun glinting over it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The handbag held, among other things, a needle
+and both black and white thread.  With their aid Jean
+mended the rents in her robe, and managed to make
+herself look quite like a maiden of the present day.
+Then wrapping the damp paper again about the
+displeasing leather case she bestowed it with a shrug of
+dislike, in the disfigured bag once more and started
+forth in search of water to wash off the stains of the
+night.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her hands were badly scratched and one had been
+bleeding.  She remembered the glass and wondered
+now how she had escaped with as few scratches as she
+had.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But water she could not find within sight of the
+fire and she dared not go further lest she get lost.  She
+found, however, a dense growth of bushes bearing
+great luscious berries, and though they were not exactly
+like any berries with which she was familiar she
+decided that they were probably edible, and gathered her
+hands full.  Then, coming softly back near the fire,
+she looked around for a suitable place for the breakfast
+table.  The sleeper had not awakened.  She went
+about cautiously and found a great flat rock quite near
+where he lay that would do beautifully.  Here she laid
+her berries on a dish of green leaves, with their points
+all radiating from the centre and two large leaves, one
+on each side, for plates.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then remembering something, she opened her handbag again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The day before, when her cousins had been taking
+her sightseeing, they had treated her to ice cream
+soda, with which had been served a tiny envelope of
+wax paper containing three small wafer crackers.  She
+had put hers in the bag, laughingly declaring that she
+would eat them on the train when she was hungry, and
+one cousin had added her envelope as well.  She had
+not thought of them when she opened it before, but
+now she hurried to bring them forth.  Of course they
+would be spoiled!  But no&mdash;the envelopes were still
+about them, and though somewhat damp they had
+retained their shape and looked exceedingly good to a
+hungry mortal.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Eagerly she set them forth, three on each leaf-plate,
+and hurried back to the bush to get more berries.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Either the soft stepping feet as they went lightly
+through the grass, or the falling of a stick into the
+ashes of the fire disturbed the sleeper, for he awoke
+suddenly and looked about him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl was gone!  That was his first thought.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The look of boyishness fell away from him in a
+flash, and he rose to his feet and gazed about him
+anxiously, alertly, as if he feared danger near.  Then
+his eyes fell on the flat rock with its mimic banquet
+spread forth!  A flood of wonder and delight swept
+into his face and a great tenderness, such as no one of
+his friends or foes ever dreamed would be hid away
+anywhere in his nature.  He had never played dolls on
+a rock with some little girl, and moss and acorns for
+carpet and dishes, but the "playhouse" spirit was
+there in his heart and leaped at once into consciousness.
+A table for two!  The woman had provided a meal
+even in the wilderness!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He had been turning about in his mind how he was
+to get something to eat with neither powder nor hook,
+and here she had been quicker than he and breakfast
+was all prepared!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Something stirred in Jasper Holt's heart that he
+had not known was there, a longing for companionship
+in his life and home; the table set for two and
+someone to care!  He had never felt its need before
+and he did not call it by that name now&mdash;he merely
+experienced a strangely beautiful thrill at the new
+possibilities that life suddenly revealed to him; something
+higher and better and infinitely sweeter than any of
+the ambitions and ideals he had hitherto entertained.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He was still standing, gazing in wonder at the table,
+when the quick crackling of a twig made known her
+return.
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p><a id="chap04"></a></p>
+
+<h2>
+CHAPTER IV
+</h2>
+
+<p>
+She stood for an instant, framed in the opening
+of the trees, her eyes bright, her lips parted, her cheeks
+pink with the exertion of picking the berries.  Both
+her hands were full of the fruit.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, good morning!" she said shyly before he
+could think what to say, "I hope I didn't waken you.
+I am sure you needed to sleep longer."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His eyes glowed with admiration, and he stood
+startled at her beauty, marvelling that she had
+accomplished a toilet with so little at her command.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"How about you?" he said, watching her with
+admiring glance, "You didn't need any sleep at all, I
+suppose.  You were just about all in last night and no
+mistake."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes, I guess I was," she answered penitently,
+"and I'm afraid I gave you a lot of trouble, not being
+able to walk when I should.  I can never thank you
+enough!  You saved my life, of course!  I never should
+have got to shore&mdash;&mdash;"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Forget it!" he said with a smile, "it was nothing."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"And you had to carry me a long distance, I am
+sure you did.  I can remember a long time when I
+know I was not walking.  You must be worn out!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Why, you're not heavy," he said amusedly, eyeing
+her slender frame.  "I could carry you a good deal
+farther than that and not play out.  I'm glad to see
+you look so rested this morning.  I didn't expect it
+after what you went through.  I see you have your
+nerve with you.  It was a pretty nervy thing you did,
+you know, that stunt of dropping out the window.  I
+had just got out myself further down and climbed on
+shore to see if there was anything I could do for
+anyone, when I saw you drop, and I thought you were
+gone for sure.  There were rocks and timbers all
+around there and heavy things falling, and I thought
+I saw your finish."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"And so you came and rescued me!" she said, with
+a look of gratitude that brought a flush over his strong,
+tanned face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, I just floated over that way to see if I could
+pick up anybody.  I couldn't tell who I was fishing out
+when I took hold of you, there were so many sounds
+and things around."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, I&mdash;I can't thank you enough now," she said,
+and there was a glisten of tears in her eyes.  "I know
+it was wonderful what you did."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, forget it!" he said again, laughing lightly.
+"It was bad enough all around, and we were lucky to
+get off as we did.  But we aren't out of the woods
+yet.  We'd better let bygones be bygones for the present
+anyway.  Don't you want to sit down?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean smilingly acquiesced, dropping down beside
+the rock with her berries, and leaning over to arrange
+them with the rest.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"These ought to be washed," she said as she
+arranged them on the leaf plate in the centre, "but I
+couldn't find any water."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Water won't be so hard to find, but we haven't
+anything to put it in," he answered laughing, "and
+besides, we oughtn't to mind a little dirt after all we've
+been through.  I doubt if the berries I usually get are
+washed anyway.  But if I had anything to carry it in,
+I'd find some water.  I haven't even a hat&mdash;&mdash;"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Why, I had a little drinking cup, but I don't
+remember whether it's in my bag or not.  Perhaps I put
+it in the suit case, though I think I left it in my bag."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She laid down the last berries, and wiping the
+stains from her fingers on the grass she opened the
+bag which she had slipped through the belt of her
+robe and made to hang at her side.  It was rather full
+and when it was opened the leather wallet, wrapped in
+its damp paper, fell out on the ground, and the paper
+came unfolded, revealing what it contained.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The young man stooped gravely, a dark flush rising
+to his cheeks, and picked it up.  He did not look
+startled nor surprised and she noticed nothing strange
+in his manner as he handed it to her.  Afterward she
+wondered at that.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The cup did not materialize, but there were the two
+little wax paper envelopes, which might hold water.
+She held them out to him, and looking up, their eyes
+met.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Why, you are the man who sat opposite to me in
+the day coach," she said in pleased surprise, "I didn't
+recognize you before without your hat on.  But I
+remember thinking when I went to the other car that you
+had a face that one need not be afraid of.  I was a little
+frightened by the old man who sat with you&mdash;he spoke
+to me&mdash;but when I saw you I was not afraid any
+more.  Mother says I'm always going by my intuitions,
+but I think this time you've proved them true.  I knew
+you were a person to be trusted."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He looked at her wonderingly, a strange expression
+of wistfulness crossing his face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"People don't often feel that way about me," he
+said in a strange low tone that seemed to hide a good
+deal more behind the words than was said.  "I guess
+you're the first person who has trusted me in a long
+time."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh," she said, looking at him seriously, "I guess
+you don't know&mdash;or else&mdash;" she paused as if in doubt
+whether to finish the sentence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Or else what, please?" he asked with compelling
+gaze.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I was going to say or else they don't know you;
+but that sounds rather bold for a stranger to say when
+I've only known you a few hours.  But I've had
+opportunity to prove that what I thought about you was true.
+Perhaps it's that you do not always let people see the
+nice things in you the way you have had to let me
+because of my need."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, that's a new way of painting my character,
+I must say.  I rather like it myself but I doubt if
+anybody would recognize it for me.  I wouldn't mind being
+that way, believe me, and I thank you for sizing me up
+in that style.  I'll think it over, but I'm afraid you've
+got your characters mixed and I'm not in your line at
+all.  However, I'm glad you think so.  Now I'll see
+what I can do about water."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He took the two envelopes as if they had been cut
+glass goblets and walked away into the woods.  In a
+few minutes he returned with them dripping, his own
+face ruddy with recent washing, and his curls still
+damp and dark above his forehead; while the strong
+hands that held the would-be cups were clean as water
+could make them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Would you like to wash your face?" he asked as
+he held out the cup for her to drink.  "Never mind
+the berries, they are all right as they are.  I'll show
+you the water and then come back to guard the food.
+We don't know what wild creature may find our table
+and clear out with the whole set-out."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, would they do that?" laughed Jean, interested.
+"Wouldn't that be funny?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It might not be so funny if we don't strike a ranch
+pretty soon," said Holt, looking serious.  "We need all
+that breakfast to help us on our way after the night
+we've spent."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I will not wash my face until after breakfast,"
+said Jean decidedly, coming back to the rock and seating
+herself by one of the leaf-plates.  "Sit down, please,
+and break your fast for we are not running any
+risks on this trip.  I want to get to a telegraph office
+and send word to my mother and father.  They will
+hear about the accident and will be terribly frightened
+about me.  You won't mind my eating with unwashed
+hands, will you?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I should worry!" declared Holt, seating himself
+on the other side of the rock with the ease of one who
+is as much at home on the ground as on a chair.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"These crackers are a little limp," said Jean, "but
+it was the best I could do considering that they were
+submerged for a long time."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"They're great," said Holt, sampling one, "but
+how did you happen to have them?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She told him merrily of her visit the day before
+and how she had saved them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"They're all you have!" said Holt suddenly, "you
+may need the rest of them before we are through.  Put
+these away and keep them till you need them.  I'll just
+eat the berries.  I'm used to going without for a long
+time."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Wasn't your life the only one you had when you
+risked it to save me?" asked Jean, looking at him
+earnestly.  "I guess you'll get half of all there is or I
+won't have any."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Holt looked at her admiringly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That's all right, but I'd rather you saved them.
+You're a woman."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That may be all right, but I won't," said Jean
+decidedly, "and I won't eat another bite until you eat
+yours."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He looked at her with the glow of appreciation
+growing in his eyes.  He never had seen a girl like
+this.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You're all white!" he said at last.  "You're the
+real thing.  You're a good fellow.  I guess we're
+partners, then."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He held out his hand as he would have done to a
+man, and the girl, with a quick appreciation of his
+words, laid her small berry-stained hand in the big,
+hard one.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Thank you," she said earnestly, "That rather puts
+us on an equality, doesn't it?  But I'm not so foolish as
+to think we really are.  I know it's only a very little bit
+that I can do on this expedition.  You do all the big,
+grand, hard things.  But you mustn't deny me the
+chance to do the little things I can do; and sharing, or
+even going without sometimes, belongs to my part.  I
+haven't forgotten yet that you saved my life."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He looked at the little hand wonderingly and held
+it gently in his own, with just a slight, lingering, wistful
+closing of his strong fingers around it; then let it go
+as though he were afraid he might crush it, it seemed
+to him so frail and exquisite and fine.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I can tell you one thing," he said, "you're some
+improvement on the last partner I had."  Jean gave
+him a swift, relieved look.  "That horrid old man?"
+she asked comprehendingly.  He nodded, but searched
+her face keenly, as if he would make sure of
+something.  He seemed satisfied, however, with the frank
+look in her clear eyes and said no more.  Perhaps
+he hoped she would confide in him&mdash;or perhaps he
+liked her all the better that she did not&mdash;who knows?
+They ate their meagre breakfast hungrily, yet
+lingered over it happily.  The morning seemed to each
+as an exquisite treasure of time loaned to them for this
+once, and there fell a charm upon them that neither quite
+understood; only they were conscious of joy in being
+alive and having each other.  The experiences of the
+night and the unusual surroundings did away with all
+conventionalities and feelings of embarrassment they
+would otherwise have had in their strange plight; and
+their laughter mingled and rang out among the trees
+joyously on that early beautiful morning after the
+disaster.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He led her down to the stream to wash while he
+made a basket of leaves, pinned together with stems,
+and filled it full of berries.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We may need them for dinner," he remarked as
+he went back to the bushes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean finished her ablutions, and, washing out her
+handkerchief, filled it also with berries; and thus
+provided with a lunch, they started on their way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After coming out of the woods they climbed first
+to the highest point of ground near them and surveyed
+the landscape in every direction, but nothing more
+serene on a summer morning could be found anywhere
+than was before them.  Turn which way they would
+there was no sign of disaster or wreck.  The soft,
+green hills on every side hid the secret of its location,
+and the world lay spread before them without a hint
+of ravage or distress.  There was absolutely no way
+to tell direction except in a general way by the sun;
+and where the wreck had been it was impossible even
+to speculate, for they could not tell how they had come
+in the darkness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This gave a new aspect to their situation.  Holt
+had been thinking during the night that if they could
+work their way back to the wreck they would probably
+reach home more quickly, for surely by this time a
+relief train must have come.  But now he saw that it was
+useless to consider that longer.  They must just press on
+till they came to a house, where possibly they could
+procure horses, and certainly information as to their
+whereabouts.  There was a reason why he wished to
+get back to the world as quickly as possible; yet something
+taught him to be glad that necessity had given him
+this day or part of a day, whichever it was to be, with
+this girl.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He looked down almost tenderly at the bright,
+trusting face that smiled up at him so bravely.  He
+had a sudden comprehending glimpse of what it must
+be to a girl, such as he could see she was, to be dropped
+down into a strange world, far from home and
+protection, in company with a man about whom she knew
+nothing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Tough luck," he said, answering the question in
+her eyes, "but don't you worry, we'll get out sooner
+or later."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I'm not worrying," she answered earnestly, "but
+I was wishing we knew how to send a wireless to my
+father.  I wonder if some day they won't perfect the
+system so that people can send messages from
+anywhere without any instruments, if they just know
+how."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That would be great," said Holt, thoughtfully,
+"I'd send one this minute to the nearest inhabited point
+for two good saddle horses.  Can you ride?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"A little.  I've never had much opportunity.  Father
+used to keep a horse, but when we moved to our present
+home he had to give it up.  There wasn't really any
+need for it.  But I'm to ride while I'm away visiting
+my sister."  Her face brightened at the thought, and
+then clouded.  "That is if we ever get there&mdash;&mdash;"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, we'll get there all right," said Holt easily,
+taking his bearings and deciding which way to strike
+out.  "You're Mrs. Harrington's sister, aren't you?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Why yes, how did you know?" said the girl with
+a ring of relief in her voice.  "You know my sister,
+then?"  This was almost equivalent to an introduction,
+and she knew her mother would be particular about
+that.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I heard you tell the conductor," he said.  "Shall
+we start?  We've got a good journey to travel judging
+by the look of things.  This way," and he led her down
+the slope out into the open where they could see where
+they were going.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But you wouldn't have remembered all this time
+if you hadn't known who she was," she flashed back,
+smiling.  "How pleased Eleanor will be when she
+knows one of her own friends took care of me and
+saved my life."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Holt's face darkened suddenly and he did not answer
+at once.  When he did his voice was cold and
+hard like a sudden storm on a sunny day.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I don't think she'd exactly call me her friend!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His eyes were narrowed, and his chin was set with
+a haughty lift.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, acquaintance, then," said Jean brightly.
+"Eleanor is a lot older than you, of course.  She was
+married and went away from home when I was just a
+tiny girl.  I haven't seen her all these years, and of
+course she's changed a great deal."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes, I suppose you'd call us acquainted," answered
+Holt, still in that queer, hard voice.  Jean felt it
+intuitively, but talked on, feeling her way to surer ground.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I wonder if my sister has ever mentioned you in
+her letters," she said brightly.  "She tells me about
+all the people."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Possibly!"  You could have cut ice with the
+sharpness of his tone.  Then he added quietly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"My name is Holt.  Jasper Holt!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He watched her with wide challenging eyes, but
+although there was a puzzled look in her face the name
+evidently told her nothing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Jasper!  What a beautiful name!  I always
+thought that was the most beautiful word.  The walls
+of the heavenly city are built of jasper, you know."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No, I didn't know," he spoke slowly, almost
+worshipfully.  This truly was a new kind of girl.  A
+citizen, more like, of that heavenly city about which
+she spoke with such assurance as if it were an actual
+place, than like a mortal girl.  His face was softened,
+made tender, as he looked at her, and saw the morning
+shining in her eyes.  His haughtiness fell away,
+and all the goodness and native truth and purity that
+were hidden in his soul came out and sat upon his face.
+The people who thought they knew Jasper Holt would
+not have recognized him thus, walking beside the girl
+and looking down upon her as one looks upon the face
+of an angel.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean looked up, seeing in him only the beauty of
+his true self; and looking, trusted, and was not afraid.
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p><a id="chap05"></a></p>
+
+<h2>
+CHAPTER V
+</h2>
+
+<p>
+He helped her over rough places and up the steep
+climbs.  Hand in hand they ran down the slopes like
+two children out for play; their merry laughter ringing
+out, forgetful of the recent dangers through which
+they had passed; forgetful, too, of perilous possibilities
+before them.  It was enough that the day was fresh,
+the sun was shining, their strength renewed, and they
+were together.  Each was occupied most with the fact
+of the other and the day.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They ate their berries before the heat of the noon
+was fully come, and hurried on.  But Holt could see
+that his companion was growing weary, for the excitement
+of the night before had left her shaken, and more
+and more she faltered and leaned heavily upon him up
+the hills.  Then he found a quiet resting place under
+some trees and bade her sleep, and while she slept he
+hovered not far away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He found a pool where by a skill he had long practised
+he could catch some very small fish; and with due
+patience he at last secured enough to make a meal.  Then
+with infinite pains and his knowledge of woodcraft, he
+accomplished a fire once more and cooked the fish, so
+that when she awoke there was dinner spread under a
+tree&mdash;broiled fish, with clear water from the brook to
+drink.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Holt was in a hurry to get on, for he was growing
+uneasy about the direction they were taking.  It seemed
+as if they were off the regular line of habitation and
+travel.  Was it possible he had turned too much to
+the north and was set to enter the desert at the most
+remote and lonely part, where they might travel for
+days without meeting anyone?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He changed the direction slightly and they started
+on again, the young man watching the sun anxiously
+from time to time.  And now he kept the girl's arm,
+touching her elbow lightly to be ready with help when
+it was needed.  Often he drew her arm within his own
+and fairly lifted her over hard places; and so they came
+to higher ground and looked out before them once
+more.  The sun was lower now, and growing redder as
+it went down with premonition of the night.  The man
+could see that the girl's steps were slower, and that her
+face was pale with weariness, though she said not a
+word and plodded cheerfully on by his side.  He could
+see that she looked anxiously about on all sides
+whenever they came to the higher ground, and knew that
+she was thinking all this time of her mother.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The fair, weary face and bright, determined
+countenance touched his heart deeply, and brought out all
+the latent tenderness in his nature; and there arose in
+him a great longing to help her that made him wonder
+at himself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At last as they reached another slight elevation he
+looked to the west and to his relief saw a small house
+with horses and cattle moving about in the fields.  He
+showed it to her and her eyes lighted with joy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, that is so good!  I was worried, for I know
+I'm a burden.  You would have gone the distance twice
+if you had been alone."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His hand touched her arm more reverently close.
+"I am glad I was not alone," he said earnestly.
+"And I'm glad you were not alone."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She looked up to meet his eyes and there leaped
+from each to the other a wonderful realization of the
+beauty of the companionship they had held that day.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes, I am glad I was not alone," she said with
+deep feeling, "for, oh, it would have been dreadful!
+And this has been&mdash;beautiful," she finished, and
+wondered at herself for speaking so freely.  Then each was
+suddenly silent at the appalling realization that the free
+companionship of the day was almost at an end.  They
+were coming to the world of convention and form
+again, where words and actions were weighed and
+motives questioned.  There had been nothing of that
+here, for necessity and common peril had blotted them
+out of existence for the time, and it had been blessed.
+Now the thought came simultaneously to both.  Would
+they ever see one another again and be friends?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The way wound down into a ravine, and the heavy
+growth of trees shadowed the path.  It was rough and
+he guided her tenderly, respectfully, as one might guide
+a little child one loved.  She felt his care in every step
+she took, and her heart responded gratefully to his
+gentleness.  Her own father could not have been more
+thoughtful; and there was nothing familiar or presuming
+in his touch.  He might have been a mother, the
+tenderness he showed.  Perhaps Jean felt it more
+because she was so very tired, and realized her lonely
+position now that night was coming on again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the valley they came to the bank of a stream,
+deep and turbulent; and standing upon its brink,
+looking either way, there seemed no possible ford.  How
+deep it was they could not guess, but there was plainly
+a strong current.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Holt stood a moment, surveying the barrier to their
+progress, walked a few steps up the bank and down,
+and looked up at the westering sky.  Then he deliberately
+walked out into the stream.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl on the bank caught her breath but said
+nothing.  Must they swim across?  Was there no other
+way?  She watched Holt standing, strong and manly,
+in the middle of the stream, the water above his waist.
+Presently, when he had gone more than half way across
+he turned and came back to her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She was white with excitement, but her lips were
+set and her eyes were bright with the intention of doing
+his bidding.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I am sorry.  There is no other way, and we must
+hurry, for the sun is getting low.  We should reach
+that house before dark."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He stooped and gathered her in his strong arms,
+lifting her shoulder high, and stalked out into the
+stream before she knew what he was doing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, please, I can walk as well as you," she
+deprecated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Put your arms around my neck, please," he
+commanded, and waded in, holding her high and dry
+above the water.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She obeyed instantly, in trust and shy wonder, and
+the water rose about them, but did not touch her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Once, when they were in the middle of the stream,
+Holt's foot slipped and for an instant it seemed as
+though he would lose his balance, but he lifted her the
+higher and almost instantly recovered himself.  In a
+moment more they had crossed the stream, and he had
+set her down upon the bank and was shaking the water
+from his garments as if it were a common thing which
+he had done and he enjoyed it.  She looked down at
+herself.  Not a shred of her garments was wet, while
+he was drenched almost to the arm-pits.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You are all wet!" she exclaimed, conscience-stricken.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You wouldn't expect me to keep dry in all that,
+would you?" he asked, with his eyes dancing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then they laughed like two children, and a frightened
+chipmunk ran chattering away in the trees.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Are you all right?" he asked solicitously.  "Are
+you perfectly dry?"  His voice was husky with emotion
+and his eyes tender.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Of course I'm dry," she answered dubiously, as
+if half ashamed of the fact.  "Why wouldn't I be
+when I'm treated like a baby?  It seems to me, you
+didn't quite keep to the terms of our partnership."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"This was one of the big things," he said, "only
+I didn't want you to know it.  To tell you the truth, I
+didn't know whether that stream was fordable or not;
+and, besides, I knew that if you got your clothes wet
+again it would hinder you in walking.  Come, we must
+make that house before dark.  I'm hungry, aren't
+you?  And we're pretty sure to find bacon and corn
+bread at least.  How does that sound?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Good!" she cried, laughing, and took the hand
+that was held out to her.  Together they ran on over
+the rough ground toward supper and rest.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the way was longer than they thought, and
+Holt had not been able to calculate on the slow steps
+of the girl who was unused to such long tramps, nor
+to going without adequate food.  The sun went down
+and the darkness was upon them before they were
+anywhere near the little house.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Once Jean stumbled and almost fell, and a sound
+like a half sob came from her throat as she clutched at
+his arm to save herself.  It was then he picked her up
+like a tired child and carried her over the rough ground,
+until she protested so vigorously that he was forced to
+set her down and both stopped to rest.  For, indeed,
+Holt's own strength was somewhat spent by this time,
+though he showed no outward sign of fatigue, having
+been trained in a school that endures until it drops.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+By this time they felt as if they had known each
+other for years, tor there is nothing like a common
+peril and a common need to make souls know one
+another, and to bring out the true selfishness or
+unselfishness of each character.  Because these two had been
+absolutely forgetful of self, each felt for the other a
+most extraordinary attraction and reverence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As they sat silently under the stars, resting, it came
+to their minds how far from strangers they now seemed,
+and yet how little they knew about each other's lives;
+and they felt they needed not to know because of what
+each had been to the other during the night and the day
+that were passed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When they started on their way again arm in arm,
+they walked silently for a time, marvelling at what the
+day had brought them in knowledge of the other's
+fineness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I cannot be mistaken," thought Jean.  "He is
+fine and noble&mdash;all that a man ought to be.  He looks
+as if he had never done anything wrong, yet is strong
+enough to kill the devil if he would."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+By this time the little house in the distance had put
+a light in its window, and guided them twinklingly to
+its door, where three great dogs greeted them from
+afar and disputed their entrance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The house was not very large, only three rooms.
+A man and his wife and some hired hands huddled
+around a kerosene light, the men smoking and playing
+cards; the wife knitting silently in the rear.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They looked up curiously to hear the stranger's
+story, half incredulous.  They had not heard of any
+railroad accident.  They lived twenty miles from the
+railroad and went to town only once a fortnight.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"This your wife?" questioned the householder of Holt.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean's face flamed scarlet as a new embarrassment
+faced her.  She had not thought of proprieties until
+now.  Of course they existed even in the wilderness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Holt explained haughtily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"H'm!" said the man still incredulous.  "Any
+more in your party?  Wal, my woman'll take keer your
+woman fer t'night, an' in the mornin' we ken talk
+business.  Yas, I've got horses, but I need 'em."  The
+man looked cunningly from one to the other of the men.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean looked at Holt, and thought how far above
+these people he seemed as he stood haughtily by the
+door in his wet and draggled clothing, with the bearing
+of a young king.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, I can pay for the horses," said Holt, "and see
+that they are returned, too, if that is what is the
+matter."  And he pulled out a roll of bills and threw several
+carelessly on the table.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Wal, that alters the case," said the man more
+suavely, "of course, fer a consideration&mdash;&mdash;"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Can we get some supper?" asked Holt, cutting
+him short.  "We've had very little to eat all day, and
+this lady is tired and hungry."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The man's wife bustled forward.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Fer the land sake!" she exclaimed, "hungry this
+time o' night?  We ain't got much ready, but there
+was some corn bread and po'k lef from supper, ef
+they'll do.  The men is powah'ful eatahs."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She set out the best her house afforded, eyeing
+Jean's tattered silk robe enviously between trips to the
+cupboard.  The men went on with their card game
+and Jean and Holt ate in silence.  The girl was
+beginning to dread the night and to wish for the silence of
+the starlit world and the protection of her strong, true
+friend.  She did not like the look of the men who
+fumbled the dirty cards and cast bold glances in her
+direction.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She was even more frightened when she learned
+the arrangements that were to be made for the night.
+She was assigned to a bunk in a small closet-like room
+opening from the big room in which they were all
+sitting&mdash;which appeared to be kitchen, parlor and
+dining-room combined, and was to be, for that night at
+least, sleeping room for Holt and the other men, several
+rolls of army blankets being the only visible provision
+made for their comfort.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Holt managed to get opportunity to whisper to her
+as the men were disputing over their game while the
+housewife retired to the guest chamber to "red up."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Don't you worry," he reassured her softly.  "I'll
+bunk across in front of your door.  You can sleep and
+trust me."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She flashed up at him a bright, weary smile that
+sent a thrill of joy through him and made him feel
+that nothing in all life could be better than to defend
+this girl who trusted him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the early rose and gold of the morning Jean
+awoke to the smell of cooking ham and the sizzle of
+eggs frying just the other side of her thin partition,
+and knew that she had slept in safety under guard of
+her new found friend.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Jasper!  Jasper Holt!" said a strange sweet voice
+within her soul, and she wondered at the beauty of the
+name and the thrill of possession she felt in it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean had a little money carefully sewed inside her
+clothing.  It was to have done for her whole western
+trip and bought gifts for the dear ones at home before
+her return.  Now she realized it was her fortune.  She
+made a bargain with the woman of the cabin for a
+khaki skirt and blouse, of doubtful cut and shabby
+mien, but whole and clean.  For these she gave two
+dollars and the remains of the once treasured, but now
+tattered and travel-stained silk robe she wore.  And
+so it was as a Western girl, in riding skirt and blouse,
+that she emerged from the little closet where she had
+slept, but so wholly was she able to subjugate her
+clothes, and so exquisitely did her flower face and
+golden-brown hair set them off that they took on a
+style and beauty entirely out of their nature; and their
+former owner stared in wonder and sighed with envy
+as she beheld.  It had not been the silken garment that
+made this girl a queen, but her own beauty of
+countenance and regal bearing; for here were her own old
+clothes worn like a royal robe, making the stranger
+lovely as the morning.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Holt looked at the girl in startled wonder when she
+appeared, so trig and sweet in her travelling garb, ready
+for the next stage of her journey, and trembled with
+joy at the day that was before him; albeit the end of
+the journey would bring sadness and parting, he knew.
+He wanted to knock down the men who stared insolently,
+offering audible comments on her complexion
+and bearing that made the swift, frightened color come
+to her cheeks.  He ate his breakfast in haughty silence,
+sitting between Jean and one of the men, and shielding
+her as far as possible from any need of conversation
+save with her hostess who waited on them all and
+hovered admiringly round her young guest's chair with
+offers of molasses and mush that were fairly overwhelming.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Any need fer a clergyman?" asked the ugliest of
+the three men, leaning forward across the table, his
+knife and fork held perpendicular each side of his
+plate, a large piece of ham aloft on his fork.  He
+gave an ugly wink at the others and they laughed
+coarsely and meaningly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yas, you could git the elder by goin' about ten
+mile out o' yer way," added another, and devoted
+himself audibly to his thick cup of muddy coffee.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Holt ignored these remarks and began asking questions
+of his host about the crops and the exact location
+of the house with regard to railroads, wondering
+meanwhile, if Jean understood their rough jokes, and hoping
+she did not.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+If she did she was serene with it all, and smiled her
+very sweetest on her hostess, making her heart glad at
+the parting by the gift of a pair of cheap, but pretty,
+little cuff pins that had been fastened on the front of
+her travelling robe.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So they mounted and rode away, Jean like the queen
+of a girl that she was, and her companion no less noble
+in his bearing.  The joy they felt in the day and each
+other was only equalled by their own shyness in
+speaking of it.
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p><a id="chap06"></a></p>
+
+<h2>
+CHAPTER VI
+</h2>
+
+<p>
+They talked about many things that morning as
+they rode happily toward Hawk Valley.  Holt felt no
+anxiety, now, about reaching there by night, for he
+knew exactly where he was and how to get there.  He
+had bargained with one of the men for fire-arms, and
+he could now shoot enough to keep them from hunger
+even if they were delated.  He had matches in his
+pocket and an old cow-boy hat on his head, and he
+felt rested and fit for the journey.  For the first half
+of the way, at least, he could give himself up to the
+bliss of a companionship such as he had never known
+in the whole of his young life.  Reverence, awe, adoration
+were in his glance as he looked at the girl, and a
+great, wistful sadness grew as the day lingered toward
+evening.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They rode first straight down to the telegraph station
+which was about fifteen miles from the settler's
+cabin, and sent reassuring telegrams from the forlorn
+little office set out alone in the middle of the prairie;
+one to Jean's father and mother back in the eastern
+home, and one to her sister, Eleanor Harrington, in
+Hawk Valley.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Don't worry about accident.  Am safe and well
+and shall reach Hawk Valley to-night.&mdash;Jean" said
+the first message.  The second Holt worded for himself,
+for he had left the girl outside the station on her
+horse.  She had asked him to be sure and tell her sister
+that he was with her so she would not worry, but the
+message he sent was:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Safe and well, and on my way to you with a
+friend who will look out for me.  Expect to reach
+Hawk Valley to-night.&mdash;Jean."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Enquiry concerning the accident brought little
+information.  The wreck had been on the "other road"
+and the agent "hadn't heard much."  He "didn't know
+whether many lives were lost or not," and he "guessed
+it was the engineer's fault, any how,&mdash;it usually was."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They rode on their way in happy converse.  Jean
+was led to tell of her home life.  Not that Holt
+questioned her, but she seemed to love to talk of home, and
+picture her family, her friends, the church where her
+father preached, the companions of her girlhood, the
+serious school life and church work to which she had
+been devoting herself; and, above all, he saw and
+wondered over the sweet confidence that existed between
+this girl and her parents.  A wistful look came into his
+eyes as he thought what might have been his life if
+someone had cared for him and trusted in him that
+way; or if he had had a sister like this girl.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suddenly, in the middle of the afternoon the girl
+looked up and asked: "Will your mother worry?  Did
+you send her a telegram, too?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He looked at her half startled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"My mother?" he said in a strange, cold voice,
+"My mother never worries about me.  She isn't that
+kind.  I doubt if she even knows where I am these
+days.  I've been west for a long time.  Father died
+and mother married again since I left home.  I don't
+suppose she would even hear of the accident.  There's
+no one to care where I am."  There was a bitterness
+in the young voice and a hardness on the handsome
+features that cast a pall over the beauty of the
+afternoon for Jean.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh," she said, looking at him earnestly.  "Oh,
+don't say that!  I'm sure some one cares."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There were tears in her eyes.  He looked so noble
+and good to her, and her heart went out to him utterly
+in his loneliness.  In that moment she knew that she
+cared with all her heart; that she would always care.
+It was strange and wonderful, but she felt she would
+always <i>care</i>!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He looked at her with wonder again and a yearning
+that he could not hide.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I believe <i>you</i> would care!" he exclaimed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She smiled through a sudden mist of tears.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes, I should care, I couldn't help it," she said,
+"You have done so much for me you know, and I&mdash;<i>know</i>
+you so well&mdash;&mdash;" she hesitated, "I don't see how
+anybody who belonged to you could help caring."  Her
+cheeks were rosy with the effort to say what she meant
+without seeming unmaidenly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His brow darkened.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Belonged!" he said bitterly.  "Belonged!  Yes,
+that's it.  I don't belong!  I don't belong anywhere!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His voice was so different and so harsh that it
+almost frightened her.  She watched him, half afraid
+as he brought his horse to a sudden stop and looked
+about him.  Then he changed the subject abruptly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"This is a good place to camp for supper and rest,"
+he said, as if he had quite forgotten what they had been
+saying.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He swung down from the saddle, hobbled his horse,
+and came around to her side to help her alight; but
+stood a moment looking earnestly, tenderly into her
+eyes, and she looked back at him trustingly, wonderingly
+with the worshipful homage a woman's eyes can
+hold for the man who has won her tenderest thoughts.
+She did not know she was looking that way, bless you,
+no!  She would have been filled with confusion if
+she had known it.  It was unconscious and the man
+knew so and treasured her look the more for that.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I believe you do care, now," he said in a voice
+filled with a sort of holy awe that made the girl's heart
+leap up and the color flame into her cheeks.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then before she could answer or think to be
+embarrassed, he lifted her reverently from the saddle and
+put her on the ground.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He hobbled her horse, unstrapped the pack of
+provisions and went off to gather up firewood, but when
+he returned she was sitting where he put her under
+the tree, her face buried in her hands, her slender form
+motionless.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He stood for a moment and watched her, then
+came over and knelt down beside her, and taking her
+hands gently from her face, looked into the dewy
+depths of her sweet eyes and spoke:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Don't!" he pleaded gently.  "Let's have supper
+now, and then we'll talk it all out.  Will you come and
+help me make a fire?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was something in his strong, tender glance
+that helped her to rise to his call.  A lovely smile grew
+in her eyes.  She let him help her to her feet, and
+casting aside the reserved shyness that had fallen over
+her like a misty veil, she ran here and there, gathering
+sticks and helping to make the fire blaze; talking
+merrily about the supper they were preparing just as she
+had done all day; but her heart was in a tumult of
+wonder.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Holt shot a couple of rabbits and put them to roast
+before the fire.  Jean set herself to toast the soggy
+corn bread and make it more palatable.  Their merry
+laughter rang out again and again as they prepared
+their simple meal.  They were like two children
+playing house.  No one looking on would have seen any
+difference in their demeanor from what it had been
+all day.  It was only when Holt was out in the open,
+shooting rabbits, that he allowed the sadness and gloom
+to settle down upon his young face.  It was only when
+he was away gathering more wood that Jean, left to
+watch the sputtering rabbits, let the corn bread burn,
+while her face grew thoughtful, and her eyes sweet
+with a tender light.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was when the supper was eaten and the fire
+flickering low in the dying light of sunset that Holt
+came and sat down beside the girl, and again a great
+silence fell between them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Holt had planned their home-coming to be in the
+dark.  For the girl's sake he would not have witnesses
+to their arrival.  This thoughtfulness sprang from finer
+feelings than the people of Hawk Valley dreamed that
+he possessed.  There remained but a little over an
+hour's ride now to reach Hawk Valley, and Holt did
+not mean they should get there before nine o'clock at
+the earliest.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He sat gravely quiet, his strong hands folded across
+his raised knees, his back against a tree, looking bravely,
+wistfully, off into the distance.  He seemed a great deal
+older, now, with that grave, sad expression.  Jean stole
+a glance at him now and then, as she plucked at the
+vegetation about her, and wondered why this appalling
+silence, which she seemed powerless to break, had so
+suddenly fallen upon them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then the man's voice broke the stillness in a low
+tense tone.  "There's something I must tell you."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The very air seemed waiting to hear what he would
+say.  The girl scarcely breathed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It wouldn't have been the square thing for me to
+tell you that I loved you if I had been the only one that
+cared; but we've been through all this together, and it's
+as if we had known each other for years&mdash;and&mdash;<i>you
+care too</i>!  I can see it in your eyes.  I'm not worthy of
+it&mdash;but you care&mdash;and it's up to me to help you stop it.
+It would be an easier job, perhaps, if I were used to
+being trusted, but it's an honest fact that you're the
+first respectable person that has really trusted me since
+I can remember, and it comes hard&mdash;&mdash;"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His voice broke as if an alien sob had wandered
+into his bronzed throat.  A sob swelled in the girl's
+throat, too, and her little briar-scratched hand stole out
+and just touched his arm reassuringly with a feather
+glance of pressure, and withdrew as if to say: "I will
+bear my part of this trouble, whatever it is&mdash;please
+don't suffer more than your own part."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He turned at that and the cloud on his face cleared
+and brightened into a smile that seemed to enfold her
+in his glance of tenderness, yet he lifted not a finger to
+touch her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I love you!  <i>How</i> I love you!" he said, in a low,
+lingering tone, as if the speaking of the words were
+exquisite joy that he knew was fleeting and must be
+treasured.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I never knew there was a girl like you.  I loved
+you at once as soon as I saw you in the train&mdash;but I
+knew, of course, you were not for me.  I'm not fit for
+you&mdash;I'm not in your class at all&mdash;and I wouldn't have
+dreamed of anything but worshipping you, even after
+these days together&mdash;only you <i>care</i>!  You trust me!
+That broke me all up!  I'd give anything in this world
+if I could keep that and take it to the end and die with
+it&mdash;to remember that look in your eyes when you said
+you trusted me&mdash;and thought I was good&mdash;and all.
+If you weren't going right where they know all about
+me and will tell you, I'd never have opened my lips,
+I'd have stolen this one little bit of trust and kept it
+for my own; for down in my heart I know it isn't
+wrong, I know you may trust me.  I'd give my life to
+keep that trust&mdash;&mdash;"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He was looking straight into her clear eyes as he
+talked and his own eyes were clear and good, showing
+his strong, true spirit at its best.  The appeal in his
+voice suddenly went to the girl's heart.  With a growing
+uneasiness she had listened to his words, and she
+felt that she could bear no more.  The tears rushed to
+her eyes and she put up her hands to cover her face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Please.  Tell me quick!" she breathed softly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Puzzled, thrilled with the wonder of her tears, and
+longing inexpressibly to comfort her, he put out his
+hand awkwardly and laid it on her bowed head bending
+over her as he might have done to a child in trouble.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"There's nothing for you to feel bad about."  he
+said in a voice of wonderful tenderness.  "I'm bearing
+this circumstance.  I just wanted to be the one to
+tell you myself that I'm not what you think me.  I'm
+not bad, really, the way I might be, but I've not been
+good, and I'm not a gentleman, not the kind you're
+used to.  Nobody thinks I'm worth anything at all.
+Your people hate me, and would think it a good thing
+if somebody would kill me, I know.  You see how it is
+that I can't be like other men who love you.  I cannot
+ask you to marry me; for after you've heard what your
+family will say about me you won't look at me
+yourself&mdash;and I don't blame you.  It's all my own fault, I
+suppose.  I can see it now, though I never thought so
+till I looked in your eyes on the train.  If I had known
+a girl like you was coming my way I'd have made
+things different&mdash;I'd have been ready&mdash;but I didn't
+know.  Nobody ever told me!  And now it's too late.
+I'm not worthy of you."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He took his hand from her head and dropped back
+against the tree again, a bitter expression on his face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, don't," she pleaded softly, quick to see his
+changing mood, "Please don't look like that.  Won't
+you tell me what you have done that makes them all
+feel so about you?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was silence for a moment between them
+while the twilight grew luminous with the coming of
+a pale, young moon battling with the dying ruby of the
+sun.  So, in the holy of the evening he came to his
+confession, face to face with his sins before the pure
+eyes of the girl he loved.
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p><a id="chap07"></a></p>
+
+<h2>
+CHAPTER VII
+</h2>
+
+<p>
+The stars were large and vivid above them, like
+tapers of tall angels bent to light a soul's confession
+up to God.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The beautiful silence that brooded over the plain
+was broken now and again by distant calls of some
+wild creature, but that only emphasized the stillness and
+the privacy of the night.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The two whose souls were thus come so strangely
+and unexpectedly into a common crisis of their lives
+sat awed and stricken before the appalling irrevocableness
+of deeds that are past.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jasper Holt broke the silence at last:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I was never as bad as they thought I was."  he
+said in a broken voice, though there was no hint in
+it of attempting to discount his blame.  "They laid a
+lot of things at my door that I never thought of doing&mdash;some
+things I would have scorned to do."  His voice
+was haughty now with pride.  "I suppose it was my
+fault they thought I did them.  I <i>let</i> them think
+so&mdash;I grew to glory in their thinking so, and sometimes
+helped it on just for the pleasure of feeling that they,
+through their injustice, were more in the wrong than I.
+I suppose I had no right to do that.  At least I see
+now that for&mdash;your sake&mdash;I should have kept my record
+clear."  He lifted his gray eyes in the starlight to her
+face for one swift look and then went on:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It was none of their business what I did though,
+and my theory always has been to do as I pleased so
+long as I lived up to my creed.  For I had a creed, a
+kind of religion, if you want to call it that.  Put into
+a single word, perhaps nine-tenths of my creed is
+Independence.  What people thought of me didn't come
+into my scheme of life.  I thought it a slavery to bow
+to public opinion, and gloried in my freedom.  It
+seemed a false principle without cause or reason.  You
+see I never reckoned on your coming.  I thought I
+was living my life just for myself.  I can see now that
+underneath all the falseness of the world's conventionalities
+there runs some good reason, and there may be
+circumstances where some of the things they insist
+upon are right&mdash;even necessary.  This is one.  I never
+considered anything like this.  I couldn't see any reason
+why I should ever need to care what people thought of
+me, or to go out of my way to make them think well
+of me.  I always relied on something else to get me
+what I wanted, and so far it has not failed.  <i>They</i> will
+tell you that.  They will let you know that I have not
+been powerless because some men hated me&mdash;for
+though they have hated me they have also feared
+me&mdash;&mdash;"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl turned her eyes, tear-filled, and full of
+amazement, to look at him, studying the fine outline of
+features against the starlit background of the sky.  She
+could see the power in his face; power with gentleness
+was what she had seen when she first looked at him;
+but Hate!  Fear!  How could men so misjudge him?
+What was there about him to fear?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He read her thought.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You don't see how that could be," he said sadly.
+"I don't look that way to you now.  But wait till you
+hear them talk.  You'll get another view-point.  You
+won't see me this way at all any more.  You'll see me
+with their eyes&mdash;&mdash;"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"<i>Don't!</i>" she said with a sob in her voice, putting
+up her hands as if to defend herself from his words.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I shall not blame you," he said lending tenderly,
+eagerly toward her.  "It will not be your fault.  It
+will be almost inevitable.  You belong with them and
+not with me, and you cannot help seeing me that way
+when you get with them.  It is a part of my miserable
+folly.  It is my punishment.  I have no right to make
+you think I am better than they believe.  It will be
+easier for you to forget me if you believe what they
+do&mdash;&mdash;"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I will never believe what they do!" said the girl
+vehemently, "I will never listen to their opinion!  You
+may have sinned; you may have done a lot of things
+that you ought not to have done&mdash;I am not wise to
+judge those things&mdash;but you are <i>not bad</i>!  <i>I know</i> you
+are not!  And I know I can trust you!  I shall always
+trust you no matter what anybody says, no matter how
+things look!  I <i>know</i> you are good and true!  <i>I know
+you!</i>"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She put out her hands piteously toward him and
+her delicate face was lifted with determination and
+intensity.  There was something glorious in the sparkle
+of her eyes.  He took her hands reverently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You <i>dear</i>!" he breathed tenderly.  "You wonderful
+woman!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She caught her breath and her hands trembled in
+his, but she sat up proudly as if she were defying the
+world in his defence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Now, tell me the rest," she said.  "Tell it <i>all</i>!
+And then I shall believe just what you tell me, nothing
+more!  If they tell me other things I shall know they
+are false.  I shall not be afraid when you tell me what
+you have done because you are here and I can look into
+your eyes and know you are sorry; so tell me the worst.
+But you needn't ever think I shall listen to them."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So, with her soft small hands in his, and her eyes
+bright as the stars above them, looking straight into his,
+he looked back as straightforwardly and told her.  All
+the foolishness, the stubbornness, and independence.
+All the fight against convention and law.  His gambling
+and wild, rough living.  His companioning with men
+who were outlaws and sinners.  His revolutionary
+methods of dealing with those who did not do as he
+thought they ought, or who tried to interfere with
+him.  His summary punishment of those who stirred
+his soul to wrath.  He told it in low tones and grave,
+searching out each confession of his heart as though
+he would make a clean sweep of it, and lifting his eyes
+bravely each time to meet the pain he could not help
+seeing in hers.  It was his real judgment, his first sense
+of shame and sorrow and repentance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And then when it was told he bowed his head in
+silence for a moment, still holding her hands, as though
+there yet remained something more to say.  At last he
+spoke.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"There's one thing," he said, and he lifted his head
+with a sigh.  "Yes&mdash;two things, I might say&mdash;that I
+suppose you'll be glad to hear.  I haven't been a
+drinking man!  I doubt if many of your friends will
+believe that, for I'm often in the saloons, and with men
+who drink.  I haven't noised it abroad that I don't
+drink, and only those who have been with me a good
+deal and know my ways, understand it.  I simply don't
+drink because I don't want to.  I saw what it did to
+men when I first came out here.  I knew I needed my
+brains for what I wanted to do, and I didn't like the
+idea of surrendering them for a few hours' carouse and
+putting myself even temporarily out of my own control,
+so I just determined I wouldn't drink and I didn't.
+But your brother and sister won't believe that.  My
+reputation is understood to be of the worst, and drinking
+is a matter of course when one is hard and wild as
+they think I am.  There's another thing, too.  I've kept
+away from women.  Some of them hurt me too much
+when I was a kid, and when I grew a little older, and
+so I decided against them all.  That's kept me clean.
+I can look you in the eyes and not be ashamed.  I
+didn't do it because I had any idea there would ever be
+one like you in my world.  I did it just because the
+kind of thing that some men liked, turned me sick to
+think of.  This is probably another thing your people
+wouldn't believe.  They've heard otherwise of me.
+They've shouldered every crime in the calendar on me.
+And perhaps they've had some reason from their
+standpoint.  I haven't always tried to make things look
+right.  I didn't care.  It wasn't their business.  There
+was a girl came to the Valley once with a travelling
+show who was all in.  She was down on her luck and
+just about ready to give up and take her own life.  I
+helped her out a bit, paid for her at the hotel a few
+days till she got rested, and sent her on her way to her
+father in Missouri; but you ought to have heard the
+rumpus the town raised!  That added to my savory
+reputation, you see.  Well, I'm no saint, but I've kept
+clean!  So&mdash;there you have the worst of me&mdash;and the
+best&mdash;but it's bad enough.  Your father wouldn't stand
+for me a minute, and I guess he's right.  I don't blame
+him.  I blame myself.  As for your sister!  Why, if
+Harrington knew I was out here alone with you he'd
+bring a posse of men and shoot me on the spot for
+daring to bring you home.  He would.  He feels just that
+way about me."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I shall change all that," said Jean with a thrill in
+her voice, "I shall tell them how mistaken they have
+been in you.  I shall tell them that was only a kind of
+rough outside that you wore&mdash;a mask that hid your
+inner feelings.  I shall make them understand that
+they have not known the real man you are at all."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You cannot do that, little girl," said the man,
+gently leaning toward her.  "It would be best for you
+not to try.  I tell you you do not know in the least what
+the feeling is against me&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But you will help to show them, too," said Jean,
+wide-eyed with sorrow.  "You will not go on doing
+those things&mdash;those&mdash;well&mdash;the things that made them
+feel you were not right&mdash;&mdash;"  She paused in a confusion
+of words, not liking to voice a thought against
+him.  "You will not do so any more?"  She pleaded
+wistfully like a child.  "You will make them see&mdash;for
+my sake if not for your own you will let them see how
+wonderful you are!  How fine you have been to me!
+You will not let them go on thinking.  <i>You will change
+it all?</i>"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her voice choked off in a sob and for a moment
+she dropped her tear-wet face down upon his hands
+that held hers.  The strong man thrilled and trembled
+with her touch and it was then he felt the most crucial
+moment of his punishment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He sat white and silent for a moment, longing to
+gather her into his arms and comfort her, to crush her
+to him; but he would not.  The nobleness in him held
+her sacred because he knew he was unworthy.  Then
+he spoke in a low, grave tone, and his voice had a
+hollow, hopeless sound.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I'll change, of course," he said.  "I couldn't do
+otherwise.  Did you think I could go on that way
+after having known you?  I never could do any of
+the things again that I know you wouldn't like.  I
+couldn't, now that you've trusted me.  I wouldn't <i>want</i>
+to.  You have made everything seem different.  If it'll
+please you any I'll promise anything you like.  But of
+course I know that doesn't matter so far as our ever
+having each other is concerned.  Nothing I can do
+can make people forget what they think I am.  They
+would never feel differently.  They would feel it a
+disgrace for you to speak to me.  They'd always think
+you'd gone to perdition if you had anything to do with
+me.  I'm not fit for you.  I know it and there's an
+end of it, but I'll spend the rest of my life trying to
+make myself what I ought to have been, if that will
+comfort you any."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl's hands clung now with almost a painful
+clasp, and tears were dropping down her face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Don't!  <i>Don't!</i>" he pleaded earnestly.  "Don't
+take it so.  I'm not worth it, really I'm not.  You'll
+find it out when you get to your sister's and hear her
+talk, and&mdash;<i>forget</i>&mdash;about this"&mdash;his voice broke and
+he lifted his face, white with sudden realization of
+what that would mean to him.  "Oh, God!  What a
+fool I have been!"  The words were wrung from the
+depths of his soul.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then the girl spoke, her voice calm with a
+suddenly-acquired strength.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Listen!" she said, and he wondered at her quietness.
+"<i>I shall never forget</i>.  <i>Never!</i>  Nothing that
+anybody can say will ever make me think as they do
+of you.  I <i>know</i> you&mdash;and you have saved my life."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He stirred impatiently, and almost roughly tried to
+draw his hands away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Don't talk of gratitude," he said huskily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No," she said firmly, taking his hands again and
+laying her own within them as before.  Then he
+accepted them as if they were a sacred trust, folding
+his reverently about them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I am not talking of gratitude," she said, and her
+voice was tense with feeling.  "You saved my life and
+I know what you are, and what you have done for me.
+Nothing can ever change that, not even what you have
+done in the past; and nobody can ever make me feel
+differently about you.  I know you, I trust
+you&mdash;I&mdash;<i>love&mdash;you</i>!"  Her voice was low and sweet as she said
+this and she did not lift her eyes.  The young man
+felt her fingers tremble within his own strong grasp,
+and he looked down wonderingly at the slender wrists
+and thrilled with holy awe at her words.  It humbled
+him, shamed him, with a pain that was a solemn joy, to
+hear her.  And he had nothing to say.  What gracious
+influence had been at work in his behalf that miracle so
+great should have been wrought in a pure girl's heart
+for him; an outlaw&mdash;a careless, selfish, wild man who
+had hitherto lived as he pleased, for himself, caring
+for nobody, nobody caring for him.  He had held his
+head high and gone his independent way.  He had
+held the creed that the whole world was against him,
+and his chief aim in life should be to circumvent and
+annoy that world.  Nothing good and holy had ever
+come into his life before.  Knowledge he had, and a
+certain amount of worldly wisdom learned in a hard
+school, and well learned; but love, care, tenderness,
+trust, had never been given to him even in his
+babyhood.  No wonder he was confounded at the sudden
+treasure thrust upon him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I am only a very young girl," Jean's voice went
+on.  "I know you are right that I must not do
+anything to distress my father and mother.  They love
+me very much and I love them.  You and I can go our
+separate ways if we must, but nobody can hinder me
+from trusting you.  It is right I should.  I owe it to
+you for what you have done for me&mdash;and my love I
+could not help giving you.  I know you are going to
+be right and true forever; I know you will not do
+those things any more that have made people think you
+were not good&mdash;I know you will always be just what I
+think you are now, won't you?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His voice was low and solemn, and his eyes held
+depths of sincerity as he lifted them to her pleading
+ones and answered:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I promise you."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"And I promise you that I will trust you always,"
+she said, and thus their covenant was made.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a long moment they sat with clasping hands,
+unaware of the beauty of the evening, aware only of
+their own two startled, suffering spirits, that had found
+and lost each other and learned the consequences of
+sin.  They did not seem to need words, for each knew
+what was in the other's heart.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He raised her at last to her feet and, bending low,
+whispered:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I thank you."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He stood a moment hesitating, then gave her hands
+one quick pressure again and turned away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I was going to ask something," he said, "but I
+guess that isn't square."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And she stood pondering what it might have been.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Silently he helped her on the pony and without
+words they rode away into the moonlight.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There were tears in the girl's eyes when she lifted
+them at last and asked:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"And won't I see you at all?  Won't you ever come
+to the house?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a sound almost of tears in the man's
+voice as he answered:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I am afraid not."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After that they talked softly in tones that people
+use when they are about to go apart on a long journey
+and may not ever meet again.  Monosyllables, half-finished
+sentences, of which each knew the beginning or
+the ending without the words.  Large understanding,
+quick pain, wistfulness, longing, a question now and
+then&mdash;this was their conversation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They came at last to the brow of a hill where below
+them at a gentle slope Hawk Valley lay, its lights
+twinkling among the velvety shadows of the night.  In the
+clear moonlight it seemed so near, so sudden, as it lay
+just below them that Jean caught her breath in a cry
+that was almost a sob.  She knew without being told
+that the parting of their ways had come.  By common
+consent they checked their horses and made them stand
+side by side.  Holt put out his hand and laid it on hers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Don't!" he said huskily.  "I won't disappoint
+you.  No matter what anybody tells you, always
+remember that.  I won't disappoint you!  You needn't
+think I've forgotten or changed.  I don't forget the
+only good thing that ever came into my life.  <i>You can
+trust me!</i>"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I know," she replied softly.  "I know I can trust
+you.  And I've been thinking.  There's no reason why
+you couldn't come to see me.  I don't care what
+anybody thinks.  You saved my life!  I'm not ashamed of
+you.  I have the right to ask you to call and to receive
+you.  My father would approve of that, I am sure."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You're wonderful!" he exclaimed intensely.
+"You're not like any other girl I ever saw.  But, it
+wouldn't do.  Your father might stand for it, but your
+brother-in-law never would.  He hates me like poison,
+not so much because of my reputation as because I've
+stood in the way of some of his plans.  He would kick
+me out like a dog if I darkened his doors.  You'll
+understand when you hear them talk.  It would be just
+as well if you didn't say anything about me.  It won't
+be necessary for them to know who brought you home;
+just say a man who was on the train&mdash;&mdash;"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean straightened up in her saddle and grasped his
+hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Indeed I shall tell them who brought me out of
+death, and just what I think of him.  They shall know
+all that you have done for me.  Do you think I would
+keep still about it?  I couldn't.  It would be disloyalty.
+It would be cowardly!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He watched her kindling face and flashing eyes in
+the moonlight and hungrily stored the picture away in
+his memory.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Darling!" he breathed reverently, as if the words
+were drawn from his lips in spite of all resolution.
+Then, raising his voice a trifle, and lifting his head to
+the night sky:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I never knew a girl could be like this!  What a
+fool I have been!"  The words ended almost in a
+groan, and for answer the girl drew nearer to him and
+laid her other hand gently upon his.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lights flashed below them in the village and voices
+rose; a coarse laugh rang out and a child's cry; some
+people talked in an open doorway in another place
+and called good-night.  Then a door slammed and
+other lights twinkled: just the commonplace noises of
+life jarring in to break a moment of tremendous import
+in the lives of these two.  The time had come to
+go down to their valley and they knew it.  With one
+lingering hand-clasp they started on down to the village.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Holt selected the shadowed ways and quieter
+approach to the Harrington home, and the two rode
+silently until they came to the house.
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p><a id="chap08"></a></p>
+
+<h2>
+CHAPTER VIII
+</h2>
+
+<p>
+Holt checked the horses and, dismounting, stood
+beside Jean in the shadow of a great tree by the
+roadside.  Within ten feet of them the light from a wide
+window streamed out upon the grass in front of a
+pleasant house built in bungalow style, with broad
+porches and vine-clad approaches.  Hammocks and
+easy rockers were dimly visible, with a brighter hint
+of glow and warmth inside the swaying curtains of
+the window where a piano was sounding pleasantly,
+and a man and woman were sitting on either side of
+a table under a prettily shaded reading lamp.  A boy's
+voice called down the stairs and the little girl at the
+piano stopped playing and answered him; then tinkled
+on with her music.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+All this the two under the tree saw and heard
+without sensing it.  They were looking into one another's
+eyes in the semi-darkness, realizing that across
+that streak of light was separation for them, perhaps
+forever; and that probably this instant here and now
+was all that was left to them together out of the
+eternity of the future years.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean put her hands timidly on Holt's shoulders.
+"I've been thinking what it was you wanted to ask
+of me," she said so softly that if one had been passing
+it would have seemed but the breathing of the evening
+air.  She waited and Holt looked at her wistfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I have no right," he said.  "It wouldn't be square."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl's eyes looked steadily, shyly into his,
+though in the shadow they could see more with the
+spirit than with the material vision.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Was it&mdash;&mdash;" she stopped, her heart beating fast.
+"Was it&mdash;this?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She leaned forward and kissed him softly on the
+forehead just where the soft curls waved away; and
+her lips were like a benediction, that seemed to bring
+forgiveness and a purging away of the past.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With bowed head as at a sacrament he stood, then
+softly said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You have understood, and I thank you.  I had
+no right to ask, but I can never forget or be false to that."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He stooped and laid his lips reverently on her
+hands; then lifted her down quickly as if he could
+not bear to make the sorrow of the parting longer;
+and together they went forward across the patch of
+light, up the path and the wide low steps to the porch.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Holt knocked once on the door, not loudly, but
+there was in the sound a menace that made Jean shudder
+as she heard it.  She reached out her hand to his as
+if she would take shelter there from something that
+was coming, that she could not quite understand.  Holt
+pressed her fingers quickly, tightly in a clasp that
+almost hurt her, and then dropping her hand, stepped
+back into the shadow of the vines as the tinkling piano
+stopped.  There was a sound of footsteps coming to
+the door, and of voices in expectation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The door was flung wide and in the stream of
+light Mr. and Mrs. Harrington stood looking eagerly
+out into the darkness, with a little girl of twelve in a
+white dress, peering shyly but curiously around her
+mother and a boy of five struggling to get into the
+centre of the family group.  Jean stood alone in the
+light on the porch, with Holt in the shadow at her side.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I have brought Miss Grayson," said Holt in a
+grave, almost challenging tone, from his dark position
+just outside the stream of light.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the people in the doorway whose eyes had
+come from the lighted room saw only the figure of the
+girl standing in the brightness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, Jean!  My little sister!  You have come at
+last!" cried Mrs. Harrington, rushing forward to clasp
+her in her arms, and draw her inside the door; and
+in the confusion of the greetings the girl's escort was
+quite forgotten for the moment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Within the doorway at last they looked about for
+him and found no one.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Why, who came with you, child?  Where has he
+gone?" asked her brother-in-law solicitously.  "We
+must ask him in and hear all about your adventures."  He
+stepped out on the porch and looked down the path
+in the moonlight, but saw no one anywhere.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes, please ask him in," pleaded Jean, her face
+illumined with eagerness, "he has been so wonderful!
+He saved my life.  If it hadn't been for him I shouldn't
+have been here."  And she hurried to the door and
+peered out into the darkness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Of course," said her sister, going to the door to
+look.  "How thoughtless of us not to have welcomed
+him at once, but we were so overwhelmed to have you
+at last, after all the anxiety&mdash;you can't think how
+terrible it has been.  Which way could he have gone?
+James, look down the road either way.  He can't be
+far away.  What was his name, Jean?  Can't you call
+after him?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"He must be over there."  Jean pointed toward
+the great tree where the horses had stood but a short
+moment before.  "We dismounted just under that
+tree.  He can't have gone far with two horses&mdash;so
+soon&mdash;&mdash;" and she hurried across the grass to the
+tree, but there was no sign of horse or man in the deep
+shadow or the serene moonlight anywhere.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Call, James!" commanded Mrs. Harrington, and
+her husband obeyed, but no answering call came back,
+save the echoes of his voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What did you say his name was, Jean?" asked
+the puzzled householder walking slowly back to the
+steps.  "It seems very strange he could get away so
+soon.  Where was he going?  Did he live near here?
+We ought to put him up for the night, of course.  It's
+most mortifying to have him disappear in this manner
+when he has been so good to you.  He must have gone
+to find rest and food for his horses and himself.  I'll
+send the servant out to look him up.  He'll surely
+find him.  What did he look like?  What did you say
+was his name?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean, slowly climbing the steps to the porch, and
+comprehending that Holt's disappearance had been
+intentional, answered in a strange low voice that tried
+to be natural:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Holt, his name was Holt, Jasper Holt&mdash;&mdash;" her
+voice lingered on the words as if she would glorify
+the man by merely speaking his name, and elevate him
+in their eyes to the place he occupied in her heart.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Holt!" exclaimed her brother-in-law.  "Holt!
+Not Jasper Holt!  Impossible!  There must be some mistake."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It couldn't have been Jasper Holt, of course,"
+said his wife quite decidedly.  "He isn't capable of
+saving anybody's life, much less a relative of ours,
+Jean dear.  It <i>must</i> have been some one else.  Are you
+sure about the name?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Quite sure!" said Jean composedly, though she
+felt her whole frame trembling.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Perhaps it was his father," suggested Eleanor,
+looking at her husband.  "Have you ever heard that
+Jasper Holt had a father living, James?  How old a
+man was he, Jean?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"He was a young man, Eleanor, tall and handsome,
+and very brave and strong."  Jean's eyes were
+lifted to meet her sister's smiling doubt, and her chin
+was raised with an attitude of defiance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Listen, Eleanor, he was wonderful.  I dropped
+from the window of the burning sleeper into a river,
+and something struck me on the head when I rose and
+tried to swim."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You poor, dear little girl!" interpolated Eleanor,
+reaching out yearning arms to clasp her sister again,
+but Jean held her gently back and went on with her
+eager tale.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"He caught me and dragged me along, helping me
+as far as I could go, and when I couldn't swim any
+longer he brought me a long distance himself to land,
+and carried me a great ways through the woods.  He
+built a fire, dried his own coat, and put it over me while
+I slept.  He took care of me just as my own father
+might have done; found food, water, and a house
+where we slept the first night; and where we got horses.
+He has been splendid to me all day."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, he can't be our Jasper Holt, dearie&mdash;it's
+impossible.  He isn't a bit like that&mdash;&mdash;"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes," said Jean, looking earnestly, bravely at her
+sister.  "Yes, Eleanor, it is your Jasper Holt.  He
+told me you did not like him, but I'm sure you don't
+know what he really is&mdash;or you couldn't, you <i>couldn't</i>
+possibly think ill of him.  Oh, Eleanor!&mdash;&mdash;" and
+suddenly Jean's courage gave way in a flood of tears and
+she threw herself in her sister's arms.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You poor, dear little girl!  You are all worn out
+and we are letting you stand here and talk when you
+ought to be in bed this minute," exclaimed her sister,
+folding her in loving arms.  "Never mind now, dear,
+you just forget it till to-morrow.  It was an awful
+experience for you to go through all alone with a
+strange man, and you need a lot of rest before you
+can tell us about it.  Come now, James will send the
+man out to hunt for your escort and you needn't worry
+any more.  We shall find out there is some mistake,
+I'm sure the Jasper Holt we know would never turn
+out of his way to save anybody's life&mdash;he'd much
+rather kill someone&mdash;unless he had some evil purpose
+in it.  It's possibly someone who has used his name
+for fun or something.  Come now, Jean dear, take off
+your hat.  Why, child, where did you get this ridiculous
+rig you have on?  It's good it wasn't daylight
+when you arrived.  It was thoughtful of your escort
+to bring you in the dark.  Your trunk arrived
+yesterday.  Come up to your room and wash while I have
+your supper put on the table.  I've kept it nice and hot
+for I knew you would be hungry."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean suddenly lifted up her head and wiped the
+tears away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I'd like to tell you just a little first, if you please,"
+she said.  "It's no use whatever for you to send out
+to find Mr. Holt.  He will not come back, I am sure.
+I suppose he meant to slip away.  He told me before
+he got here that you would not want him.  He did not
+want me to mention him at all, but I had to tell you
+how fine he has been."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Harrington and her husband stood looking
+at one another aghast; while Jean, her hair dishevelled,
+her sweet face glowing with eagerness, sketched most
+briefly but forcibly the peril through which she had
+come and the faithfulness and care of her protector.
+More than one glance of incredulity passed between
+husband and wife as the girl went on with her story;
+and yet, as she came to her final sentences, they
+perceived that her protector and savior must have been the
+Jasper Holt they knew and despised.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I guess it was Holt all right!" said Harrington,
+with an ominous frown, "and he did well to disappear
+like the coward that he is.  He knew he was not wanted
+around here!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Coward?" exclaimed Jean, "coward!  Jasper
+Holt is no coward!  You do not know him!"  Her
+eyes were flashing fire; her whole slender body tense
+with indignation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Eleanor looked alarmedly at her husband, but tried
+to smile pacifically at her sister.  "Never mind
+to-night, dear," she said soothingly, "he's evidently
+appeared to you as an angel of light.  He is handsome,
+I must admit&mdash;in a kind of a dashing, dreadful way&mdash;and
+of course any one who saved you and was kind to
+you would be under a kind of glamour just now.  I'm
+sure we're grateful to him for not letting you drown.
+It's quite the unexpected; but really, when it comes to
+bringing you home, you're quite attractive, you know;
+and I've no doubt he thought it would be pleasant
+to have a little flirtation with a pretty girl.
+Besides, I think he rather enjoyed putting James under
+an obligation to him.  I'm sure I hope he will know
+enough not to presume upon this for further acquaintance.
+He has been most unpleasant, not to say criminal,
+in a business way,&mdash;but never mind now, Jean,
+we'll talk about it more tomorrow.  Wait until you
+hear what everybody says about him and then you will
+see we are not prejudiced.  We don't blame you for
+being grateful.  Be as grateful as you like&mdash;but <i>don't
+have anything more to do with him</i>!  Come now, this
+is the way to your room.  Let me help you unfasten
+this ridiculous frock.  Where did you say you got it?
+I know you never had this in your wardrobe when you
+started from home and mother&mdash;&mdash;"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Harrington chattered on, giving the girl time
+to recover her calmness, for she saw that she was
+terribly excited; and Jean choked back the hot tears that
+welled to her eyes, and the words of protest against the
+injustice to Holt, and went about her toilet.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In a few minutes more she had made a hasty toilet
+and, attired in one of her own cool little muslins, she
+was seated in the dining-room with an admiring audience
+about her asking questions about home, the journey
+and the cousins she had visited on the way.  The
+children hung about her eagerly, patting her shyly,
+and watching her every move with shining eyes.
+Almost, for a few minutes, the girl forgot the perils
+through which she had passed, and the lover of whom
+she must not speak.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When supper was finished the children were sent
+to bed, and Jean suddenly remembered the leather case
+she had been charged to convey to her brother-in-law.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, James," she said, "I've a package for you;
+'very important papers' the queer old man who gave it
+to me said they were.  He was going to get off at the
+next station, he said&mdash;he had been telegraphed for, or
+something&mdash;and he heard me tell the conductor that
+you had telegraphed for a berth for me, so he asked if
+I would give you these papers at once.  If he knows
+about the accident, he's worrying about his precious
+bundle by this time, I suspect.  Wait, I'll get it.  It's
+upstairs in my bag."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean hurried up to her room and had a little difficulty
+in finding the bag which she finally discovered
+under a trunk tray.  The sight of the little wax paper
+cups and her own little damp wad of a handkerchief
+she and Holt had both used for a towel that afternoon
+when they washed their hands at a spring, struck a
+pang to her heart.  The dampness and stuffed condition
+of the bag made it difficult to get the bundle out,
+and giving it an impatient jerk she turned the whole
+thing upside down on the little table that stood by the
+bedside.  The bundle rolled to the floor, opening as
+it fell, for the edges of the leather case had loosened
+with the wetting they had received, and let out the
+papers that it held.  Jean stooped wearily and gathered
+them up with a gingerly touch, remembering the uncouth
+old man who had given it to her, and was rather
+surprised that the papers themselves looked clean and
+were evenly folded.  She hurried down to the bright
+living-room, holding them out to Mr. Harrington, and
+was startled at the look on his face as he saw what she
+gave him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You needn't be afraid, it's not a ghost," she
+laughed as she put the damp package in his hand.  "It's
+rather dilapidated, but it's all there.  I did the best I
+could with it, but it was submerged for a long time,
+and I had no opportunity to dry it."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Harrington said nothing, but his face turned
+suddenly white and his hand shook as he turned back
+the limp leather and looked at the folded papers inside.
+She saw by his expression that he knew what it was.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Are they so very important?" she asked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Pretty important," he said briefly, opening the
+papers one at a time and half turning away from her
+as if he did not wish her to see them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I'm glad I saved them, then," she said fervently.
+"I came near throwing them away when I dropped
+out of that window.  The old man was so dirty I
+couldn't bear to have anything he had handled.  Well,
+good-night."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She turned away, feeling that he wished to be alone
+with the papers, but he looked up and called her back.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Wait, Jean.  What kind of a looking man was it
+who gave them to you?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She told him in detail.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Did you let anyone see this case?" he asked
+sharply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No," said Jean, and then remembered.  "Well,
+not exactly.  It fell out of my bag once and the paper
+I had wrapped it in fell off, but there was no one by
+but Mr. Holt and he didn't notice it in the least."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Are you sure?" questioned her brother, his face
+white, his expression growing tense with anxiety.
+"How near was he?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"He was standing close by, not three feet away,
+and he stooped and picked up the case and handed it
+back to me without saying a word," said Jean, a hint
+almost of indignation in her tone that warned her
+brother he had gone far enough in his inquiries.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, never mind," he said, turning away.  "It's
+all right, of course.  They are very important; papers
+relating to some business my company is carrying on,
+and Holt has been making a good deal of trouble for
+us.  I would rather he didn't know about them."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean was vexed, she scarcely knew why, and stood
+for an instant hesitating.  Should she say more or go
+immediately upstairs?  It was very strange for James
+to act that way, as if it were her fault.  And it was
+most unreasonable and unjust for him to feel that way
+about Jasper Holt.  Her soul revolted against it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Harrington looked up, annoyed, as if he would
+be rid of the girl; and then, realizing the look of
+wonder on her face, he tried to control his expression
+and smile.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, good-night, Jean.  Don't let this trouble
+you.  I'm deeply grateful that you were so faithful as
+to guard the papers through all your experiences.  Rest
+well and don't think any more about it."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So dismissed, the girl turned slowly and mounted
+the stairs, but as she glanced back she saw him
+fluttering the papers over as if he were counting them two
+or three times.  As she reached the landing she heard
+him summon a servant and send him in hot haste for
+someone named "Garrett."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Tell him he must come at once, it is important,
+urgent business," was the message sent.  Then she
+closed her door and went about her preparations for
+the night, but her mind was strangely disturbed.
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p><a id="chap09"></a></p>
+
+<h2>
+CHAPTER IX
+</h2>
+
+<p>
+Eleanor Harrington came presently to the door
+and tapped.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You're not asleep yet, are you, Jean?" she called.
+"James just wanted me to ask if there was any
+possibility that some of those papers were lost on the way?
+Did they fall or did anything happen where one might
+have slipped out?  He thinks that two most important
+ones are missing."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Not while they were in my possession, Eleanor,"
+said Jean positively, feeling a return of her annoyance
+at her brother's manner.  She opened the door and
+stood framed in the doorway, looking adorable in her
+little, pale blue kimono, with her hair tumbling about
+her shoulders.  The elder sister fell on her neck and
+kissed her affectionately.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You poor little girl, how tired you look.  Get to
+bed quickly.  It was a shame to trouble you any more
+about those horrid papers.  There, good-night, dear!
+This is positively my last appearance," and she closed
+the door and went downstairs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Five minutes later Jean turned to put out the light
+and saw, lying on the floor on the farther side of the
+little bed-stand, a slip of paper folded once across, and
+about the size of the wallet which she had given her
+brother-in-law.  She pounced upon it and took it nearer
+the light.  It looked more like an old letter that might
+have slipped from her trunk tray than a business paper.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As she opened the paper the name of Jasper Holt
+caught her eye, and her interest was at once enlisted.
+How came a paper bearing that name in the guest
+chamber of her brother's house?  It could not possibly
+have come through her.  Nothing of his could have
+caught in her garments, there was no place for
+anything to catch, and no way that his possessions could
+get into her bag.  It could not, of course, be the missing
+paper from the wallet, since it bore his hated name.
+Yet, her brother had spoken of disagreeable business
+relations.  Would this paper, perhaps, by any chance,
+explain to her the animosity that had sprung up
+between the two men?  She felt she had the right to
+know.  She glanced quickly down the page.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was a simple contract, the grant of certain water
+rights to Jasper Holt in consideration of payment
+received, and to the veriest child who could read at all
+it would be patent that the paper must be the private
+property of Jasper Holt himself.  How came it here in
+the house of his enemy?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She read the few lines over many times, until she
+knew them thoroughly; and slowly there grew in her
+heart a conviction that something was wrong somewhere.
+Her first impulse, to call her sister and consult
+her, she could not bring herself to follow.  It seemed,
+somehow, that here was something she must think out
+for herself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+However and whatever her brother and sister felt,
+<i>she</i> owed a loyalty to Jasper Holt.  She might not do
+a wrong, even inadvertently, to him who had saved her
+life and cared for her so tenderly.  If he were here
+she would unquestioningly have put the paper into his
+hands and asked him what to do about it.  She had
+promised to trust him, and she felt such great
+confidence in him, from what she already knew about him,
+that she was convinced he would send the paper back
+to Harrington if it belonged to the latter.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Holt was not here, and the problem of the
+future was still shrouded in difficulty.  Would she ever
+see him to consult?  Was this, perhaps, one of the
+missing papers James wanted, and why did she not
+trust James to give it back to Holt as quickly as she
+would have trusted Holt to give it to James?  The
+question brought a look of trouble to her brow, and a
+flush to her cheek.  Did she distrust her brother-in-law
+just a little bit?  Had she always done so without
+knowing it?  Or was it just a prejudice because he
+seemed not quite so fine in his nature as her beloved
+sister?  Besides, James was prejudiced against Holt.
+It might be hard for him to be generous and true under
+those circumstances.  Yet her heart rebuked her for
+the thought.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She stood uncertainly holding the bit of paper for
+a long time and finally put out the light and went and
+sat by the open window, trying to clear her mental
+vision and understand what she ought to do.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Out on the lawn the shadows were dark under the
+great tree where she and Jasper Holt had said good-bye.
+She thrilled again as she remembered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The stars were clear and friendly as though they,
+too, remembered.  The long stream of light still
+marked the divide between the shadows and the path
+to the house, for the lamps were burning brightly
+downstairs, though all seemed quiet.  Jean had heard
+Eleanor come upstairs again, and tiptoe softly by her
+door as if fearing to wake her.  She felt almost guilty,
+sitting there in the dark awake.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The pillows were soft in the great willow, cushioned
+chair she occupied, and the air was sweet that came in
+from the plains and sifted through the lacy shadow-work
+of vines.  The day had been long and full of
+excitement, and the kindly night wrapped softly about
+the young sweet thing sitting with an angel's problem
+to decide.  With the paper still held tightly in her hand,
+her head drooped back against the chair and she was
+asleep.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It might have been an hour later that she awoke, the
+gruff voice of a man startling her into consciousness
+once more:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That you, Jim?  What's the matter?  It's fierce
+when one's having the time of his life to have to turn
+and run at a moment's call.  What's up?  Something
+pretty stiff or you never would have sent that message.
+If I find it's any nonsense and squeamishness I'll&mdash;&mdash;"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Sh&mdash;&mdash;"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The voice suddenly changed into a gruff whisper.
+Jean was sufficiently awake to realize that the man
+Harrington had sent for was come.  Then she addressed
+herself to her problem again, and the voices in low
+mumble, gradually rising to distinguishable sentences
+now and then, continued under her window.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She was not conscious of hearing them until suddenly
+she was startled into sharp attention by a name.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I tell you if Jasper Holt gets onto this in time
+it will mean State's prison at least for us.  It looks
+bad."  It was Harrington's voice that spoke.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I don't see it that way," said the stranger.  "Holt
+hasn't got onto it, and Holt won't get onto it.  You
+say the girl said he handed her back the wallet and
+never said a word.  Don't you know Holt would never
+have let his own valuable private papers out of his
+hand if he had suspected in the least that he held them?
+You know Holt better than that.  Ten to one he was
+so taken with the girl that he never noticed the wallet;
+and why would he think she had his wallet, anyway?
+I think it was pretty rare of old man Scathlin to think
+of giving the papers to her.  It threw Holt entirely off
+the track for good.  Now, what we want to do is to
+get hold of Blount.  He's the whole show up there in
+New York, anyway.  I'll just wire him to come on at
+once and talk it over, and we'll get to work and cut off
+the water supply while little Jasper's training his roses
+and wondering what has become of his perfectly good
+deeds to his perfectly good silver mine."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But one of the missing papers is the grant of
+water rights.  If that were here we might talk&mdash;&mdash;"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean sat up suddenly with bated breath, and her
+arm hit against the hairbrush which, in her excitement
+of preparing for bed, she had laid down upon the
+window sill.  The hairbrush fell with a sharp noise
+on the polished floor just over the edge of the rug,
+and the two men in the vine-draped porch below started
+fiercely and looked up, the stranger with an oath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What's that?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, nothing, I guess," said Harrington, his own
+voice a trifle strained.  "Probably my wife has gone
+in to tuck up the baby and dropped something&mdash;&mdash;  Oh,
+you needn't worry, my sister-in-law is fast asleep hours
+ago.  Her light went out just after I came out here to
+watch for you, and there hasn't been a sound overhead
+since.  She was worn to a frazzle."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Where is her room.  This window up here?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No, just next, but she's asleep, I'm sure."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Harrington rose and stepping off the porch, walked
+out on the lawn in the edge of shadow next the path
+and looked up.  Jean, huddled back against her great
+window-chair, her face white with excitement, could
+see his attitude as he surveyed the windows and then
+reassured came back to the porch.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It's all right," he said in a low tone, "but maybe
+we had better go to the other end of the porch.  I was
+afraid of waking the baby over there, and the rascal
+is a difficult problem when he wakes in the night."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, talk lower anyway," said the stranger.
+"What did you say the other missing paper was?  You
+have the list of them all, haven't you?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes, copies.  I wish we'd sent the copies instead
+of the originals, only Scathlin's story about finding
+them wouldn't have worked then.  The other lost paper
+is the claim, with the location of the ore&mdash;most
+important.  Strange that those two, the ones on which the
+others all hinge, are gone!  I can't understand.  Do
+you suppose Scathlin has something up his sleeve?
+Maybe he kept only those two and means to get these
+later&mdash;but what object could he have had?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was silence for a moment while the two men
+thought.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At last Garrett spoke:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What do you suppose Holt was doing on that
+train&mdash;the same train with Scathlin?  Holt didn't leave
+home till Scathlin had been on his way nearly two
+days.  When was the last we heard from Scathlin?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Pittsburgh.  A telegram.  He'd just arrived,"
+answered Harrington glumly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What day was that?  Could Holt have reached
+Pittsburgh before Scathlin got away?  He's sharp you
+know.  Have you got the telegram?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It's inside," said Harrington.  "Just step in."  And
+the two men went into the house.  Jean could hear
+their low, troubled voices, rumbling on, but she could
+not hear any more words, and she sat shivering over
+what she had heard.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Scathlin!  Scathlin!  Why was that word so
+familiar?  Scathlin!  Ah!  She had heard it from the
+lips of Holt himself, before she went into the sleeper.
+It was what he had called the old man.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Was this wrong, this involuntary eavesdropping?
+She had not meant to listen, had never thought there
+might be anything said that she would understand, or
+that they would care if she did hear, until the whole
+revelation was in her possession; and then she was too
+much frightened to stir or think what she ought to do.
+Was it not right, perhaps, that she should have heard;
+and, yet, what could she do?  It was all too evident
+that Jasper Holt was about to be cheated in some way.
+That remark about his private papers was unmistakable.
+And the little paper in her hand that had to do with
+water rights was his also.  Water rights were sacred
+things in the west, and most important.  The losing of
+them had often been the cause of the sweeping away
+of whole fortunes she knew; and the little bit of paper
+that proved his right was in her trembling hand to
+bestow where she would!  It was plain that if she
+should go down now and give it to those two men she
+would be most welcome; but she was sure that it would
+not be right for them to have it.  They had admitted
+enough to make her feel that there was some plot
+against Holt; and suddenly all her latent dislike of her
+brother-in-law, which had been lying dormant through
+the years because there was nothing to rouse it, sprang
+into being.  Her decision was made.  She must somehow
+get that paper to Jasper Holt, and that just as
+soon as possible.  She must not let her brother know
+that she had it.  If she were mistaken about this,
+Jasper Holt would be true and tell her so and return
+the paper.  She felt as sure of him as if she had known
+him all her life.  But there <i>could</i> be no mistake.  It
+<i>must</i> be his.  The men had practically owned it!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It made her shiver with cold to think how dreadful
+all this was.  Brought up to strictest integrity, it seemed
+terrible that one in their own family should swerve
+from it; there must be some other explanation to the
+talk she had heard.  Things in the business world were
+queer, and a lot of shady things were done under the
+name of righteousness.  She had heard her father talk
+about "graft"; maybe it was something like that.
+Maybe James thought he was doing good service to
+cut Jasper Holt out of his water right somehow; and
+maybe, in some strange unexplainable way, he was
+justified.  And yet&mdash;what did they mean about the
+location of the silver mine?  Oh, it was too much for her!
+If she had never known and loved Jasper Holt, and
+trusted him, she would have gone down and put the
+whole thing in James's hands and gone to bed thinking
+nothing further about it.  But now her whole soul
+was roused to do the right thing toward her lover, who,
+she saw, was under the ban, and who seemed to her to
+be in the right in this case at least.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It occurred to her how easily she might wash her
+hands of the whole matter by dropping that bit of
+paper out of her window and letting it be found or not;
+as the case might be.  How easy to live sometimes if
+one had no conscience to reckon with&mdash;and no heart!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It seemed a long time that she sat trembling by the
+open window, afraid to stir lest the men downstairs
+should hear her move; unable to think connectedly and
+decide what she ought to do.  But at last the two men
+came out on the piazza, again, the guest apparently
+about to take his leave.  His voice had lost its easy
+assurance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It looks bad!" he said, "very bad!  It looks as if
+Scathlin had bungled things.  If Holt suspects we have
+anything to do with it, why, our fish is dished.  I guess
+there's nothing else to do but send him back those
+papers, saying that a stranger put them into your
+sister's hands to bring to you, and you know nothing
+about them, but seeing his name among them you
+suppose they must be his.  You could add a word about
+being grateful for his care of the girl or something of
+the sort to make it look natural."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But that throws all the responsibility on me," said
+Harrington angrily.  "And it looks mighty funny to
+have those two important papers gone.  These are no
+use to anybody without those&mdash;&mdash;"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Of course, but you're not supposed to know that,
+and he can't do anything but bluster.  Anyhow, as
+far as I see, it's your only chance, and you'll have to
+do it mighty quick or that won't do any good.  I
+wouldn't keep them a day&mdash;&mdash;"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I shall do nothing of the kind," snarled Harrington.
+"I would rather destroy them than play into his
+hand that way.  I'm not in a position to throw
+suspicion on myself in that style."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Do as you please," said the guest scornfully.
+"That's my advice.  I wash my hands of it.  If you
+want to hang on to a lost cause for the sake of pride
+you'll have to do it without me.  I know when to quit."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But suppose Scathlin returns in a few days with
+Blount."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Scathlin won't return with Blount.  You can take
+my word for that.  Either Scathlin's dead or he's sold
+those other two papers to Holt and given away our
+secrets into the bargain.  You may depend on it, if
+Scathlin was all right he'd have telegraphed at intervals
+as he was ordered.  There's some reason why he quit
+telegraphing at Pittsburgh."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Garrett departed noisily, and after a few minutes
+pacing up and down the piazza Harrington went in,
+put out the lights and went upstairs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean crept softly into bed, still grasping the paper
+close to her breast; and weary, troubled, bewildered,
+she soon fell fast asleep.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Later, when the moon had died and only the luminous
+mist in the East proclaimed the dawn at hand, a
+rider came quietly down the road, his horse stepping as
+if with padded feet, and stopped before the house.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The rider dismounted silently in the darkness and
+with noiseless tread came and laid something down in
+the dewy silence at the door.  Then mounted and slipped
+away into the darkness again.
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p><a id="chap10"></a></p>
+
+<h2>
+CHAPTER X
+</h2>
+
+<p>
+Down the long silent road beyond the sleeping town
+the rider passed, out to the plains.  His horse knew the
+trail well, was rested and glad to be used.  He stepped
+away into the gray dawning carrying his beloved
+master with willing feet.  There was no need to hurry
+him.  He seemed to know as if by instinct just how
+fast to travel to arrive at the Junction in time for the
+early morning train.  It was not the first time he had
+journeyed thus at that hour.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The rider sat his horse as one who had entered
+upon a long quest which may not end this side the
+other world.  There was weariness in his attitude, and
+profound thoughtfulness, with steady determination to
+pursue his way to the end.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Now and then he bent his head and laid his lips
+on the cool fragrance of a great, dim bud stuck
+carelessly into his buttonhole, its branch and thorns and
+leaves still attached as if it might have been plucked
+from the vine by hasty impulse.  Later, when the day
+came up and houses were in sight, he tore it from its
+stem and wrapped it quickly in his handkerchief to
+hide away in his pocket.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The stars were paling when he started.  They
+slipped one by one silently into the oblivion of a
+background of light as he rode, but before they left him
+they spoke many things to his sad, determined soul.
+Sometimes it almost seemed to him that a girl rode
+at his side and understood his thoughts.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His thoughts were as one would go with lighted
+lamp and eyes suddenly awake to see, through the long
+unvisited chambers of his soul, and find with startled
+senses the dirt and cobwebs and musty, dusty corners,
+cluttered with moth-eaten garments of a dead past;
+and, searching closer in dark crannies, find the bones
+of dead things that should have lived but for the
+unwatchful keeper of that house.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The young face lost its boyishness and grew grave
+and haggard with suffering.  Then he laid his lips on
+the cool flower petals and heard again the voice of the
+girl like music in his soul: "I will trust you always,
+no matter what anybody says!" and it thrilled him and
+gave him courage, so that when morning burst upon
+the plain and he came in sight of the straggling houses
+surrounding the Junction, he lifted up his face to the
+golden morning sky and breathed aloud solemnly the
+words:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh God!  Help me to keep my vow to her, always,
+even to the end of life!  Help me to be what she
+believes me to be!  Help me to be worthy of her trust!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With these words upon his lips and the memory
+of her kiss upon his brow he went forward into the
+new day and the new life that was before him.  This
+duty that was his to-day was by no means a pleasant
+one, and it might be long and hard, but he must do it
+in a different way from that which he would have done
+it three days before, for to-day he was a different
+creature.  He had seen himself as he was before God,
+and henceforth all things were become new.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He was in time to make all his arrangements to
+leave the horse before the train arrived.  He had chosen
+to travel across country to the Junction rather than
+to take the train at his home station, partly to avoid
+publicity, and partly to save time, for there was no
+train from Hawk Valley early enough to connect with
+this Eastern Express which stopped at the Junction.
+Passengers from Hawk Valley wishing to catch
+this train would be forced to leave the evening before
+and put up at the Junction tavern, a most unpleasant
+experience for any traveller.  Jasper Holt preferred
+travelling on horseback at all times to riding on the
+railroad, and besides, every minute counted now in
+the errand he was on his way to perform.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+All the morning while the train glided over the level
+plain he was going over his recent experience; going
+back to the moment when the girl entered upon his
+vision and looked at him with that clear, direct gaze
+that trusted him; thinking over every detail of his
+finding her in the darkness and peril; the miracle that he
+and not some other should have found and saved her;
+recalling every incident of the beautiful, wearisome
+way by which they had gone home together; and the
+wonder of the girl's faith in him, her love for
+him&mdash;his love for her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Any one watching the absorbed, silent man sitting
+alone, his head dropped back against the seat, his hat
+drawn down over his eyes, the lines of gravity deep
+upon brow and lip and chin, would have judged him for
+a much older man than he was, so maturing had life
+thus far been to him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And now, the task that was before him was to
+find Scathlin&mdash;if, indeed, he were still in the land of
+the living&mdash;or some evidence that he was dead; and to
+know beyond a question of doubt what had become of
+those papers, and just how far Harrington had been
+responsible for the theft.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He loathed his task, yet felt compelled by some
+inner urging to finish it.  Almost his soul revolted to
+the extent of giving up the case and letting his enemies
+triumph over him.  What to him now was his silver
+mine, since he had found her&mdash;and lost her forever?
+Why not let his property go and leave Hawk Valley
+forever, where his reputation had undone him in his
+greatest opportunity?  Why not go to some new land
+where he was unknown and begin all over again?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But his soul was too strong and true for that.  He
+must face his mistakes in the place where he had made
+them and undo, if might be, some of the harm he had
+done.  He had to do this whether he would or no.  It
+was right that he should find his papers and make good
+his claim.  It was a part of the true living he had set
+himself from this time forth.  He had promised to let
+people see that he was trustworthy and this was the
+first step.  If Harrington and his men got their way he
+would be branded as a thief and a liar again and the
+old reputation only fixed the firmer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was toward evening when they passed the scene
+of the late disaster and the long rays of the sun rested
+over the river and valley where peril and death had
+brooded.  A temporary way had been made for the
+tracks, all signs of death and disaster swept hastily
+out of sight by the wrecking train, and the tide of
+travel was already rolling calmly on again.  A swarm
+of workmen, like ants carrying grains of sand over a
+wall, were at work on the broken bridge, and the passing
+traveller looked cheerfully across and got no hint
+of fire and fear and sudden death.  Even the trainmen
+had had their orders and answered gruffly, in brief
+sentences, when questioned about the wreck, turning it
+off lightly as a small thing, until they heard that here
+was one of the almost victims of the accident.  Then
+they looked sharply a second time and stole back to
+talk in low tones with guarded sentences about where
+the blame should lie.  But no one knew much about the
+details, after all.  The conductor reluctantly admitted
+that the victims, those who had been saved, had been
+taken to the nearest city and distributed among the
+hospitals.  That was all.  He implied that there were
+many victims who had not even that comfort.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So, on to the nearest city went Jasper Holt, arriving
+shortly after sundown, and began his search among the
+hospitals at once, after having visited the railroad office
+and got all the information they could give him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Three days and two nights Jasper Holt searched,
+in hospitals and morgue, and even private homes.
+Wherever he could learn of a person who had been
+through the accident he went to see if they knew any
+clue to the man he sought, but not a hint did he find.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was entirely reasonable to suppose that Scathlin
+had lost his life in the fire or the river, and to feel that
+further search was unnecessary.  But Jasper Holt,
+standing at the window of his hotel room and looking
+out on the busy streets of that Western city toward
+evening of the third day, could not feel it so.  More
+and more it became necessary to find that man, or be
+sure of his death.  The three days of visiting hospitals
+and viewing suffering and death had graven the sad
+lines even deeper in his fine, strong face.  It began to
+seem now to him that he might even have a duty toward
+that loathsome creature Scathlin, though heaven
+knows why any such thought should have entered his
+head, seeing he was the injured, not the injuring.  But
+the more he thought about it the more he felt that he
+must search further.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+To look any longer in the city was absurd.  He had
+already covered every clue that he had found, and the
+railroad authorities were beginning to grow weary of
+this assiduous young man with the firm jaw and the
+blue-gray eyes of steel who steadily demanded the
+missing man.  They offered to send him back to the scene
+of the accident with a man to help him, and authority
+to get assistance from their workmen to search the
+river and vicinity.  This offer Jasper finally accepted
+and the next morning was on his way back.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The last time Holt had seen Scathlin he had not
+really seen him at all, he had merely sensed his presence
+in the darkness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They had both been sleeping&mdash;Scathlin with the
+relaxation of one who no longer needs to be on the
+alert, Holt with half his senses on guard&mdash;when the
+crash came.  Splintering glass and a rush of cold air
+brought Holt clearly to himself.  The car had been
+turned on end and was sinking, sinking down with
+creak and groan; and the two men were thrown together
+for a moment into the aisle, clinging to the arms
+of the seats.  Holt had heard the terrible oaths with
+which Scathlin was wont to embroider his speech even
+on calmer occasions.  They sounded now like a
+challenge to the Almighty.  The younger man had reached
+out a hand in the darkness to strike the other, and had
+uttered a single sentence "Cut that out!" but the
+profanity continued, and Scathlin had struck him a blow
+blindly across his eyes which bewildered him for a
+second and made the confusion more black and terrible.
+Then he had been aware that Scathlin was scrambling
+up over the arm of the seat to the window, and was
+about climbing out.  The red glow from outside flared
+up and showed Scathlin's bulk against the night, his
+head and shoulders already out the window, the stream
+of oaths not so distinct now because they were flung
+to the outdoor world.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was then that he realized that Scathlin was
+escaping from him and he must not let him get away.
+Even in such a situation he remembered his long quest,
+and pulling himself up by main force, caught Scathlin
+by the foot.  Suddenly he remembered the curious
+actions of Scathlin the day before, and his fumbling
+with his shoe-strings afterwards.  The shoe Holt held
+in his firm grip was laced and tied in a hard knot, but
+Holt's knife was ready and he cut the string in several
+places.  Scathlin did not stay for shoes.  He left his
+footgear readily in his pursuer's hands and made good
+his escape, but Holt, forgetful of his peril for the
+moment, searched in the shoe and found a folded paper.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was too dark to tell if the paper were one of
+those he sought.  He put it safely in his pocketbook for
+further investigation, felt in the shoe carefully once
+more to make sure there was not another, and then
+climbed out of the window after Scathlin.  But when
+he dropped into the melee below he could not see
+Scathlin anywhere.  There were some rocks far below,
+and down there he had thought he saw a white face
+as he first looked from the window before he leaped,
+when the fire broke out with a flare.  But after he had
+dropped and found himself in the water he could not
+quite locate the rocks again, and while he was searching
+he saw another victim drop and sink and rise again,
+and he went to her rescue.  So had Scathlin had his
+wish and escaped from the train before they reached
+the region of Hawk Valley.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Holt and his assistant searched the scene of the
+wreck until the young man was convinced that further
+search there was useless, and sent the man back to the
+city.  Then he dropped down to the river bank and
+talked with one or two men on the wrecking crew while
+they were waiting for the construction train to come
+and bear them back to their camp, and here for the
+first time he got a clue.  They had found a man down
+on the rocks with a broken leg a whole day after the
+others had been taken to the city hospital.  Some
+bushes had hid him and no one had noticed him till
+they heard him groaning and cursing.  A man who
+said he had a shack "up a piece" had taken him in his
+wagon.  He had promised to get a doctor and fix the
+man up.  The man himself had begged them to shoot
+him.  He was almost out of his head with suffering.
+Their vague description tallied with Scathlin's rough
+appearance and Holt became convinced he had found
+his man.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Making the best he could out of their indefinite
+directions, for they really had not much idea of the
+locality of that shack themselves, Holt started off in
+search.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He found Scathlin before nightfall that same day,
+lying alone and moaning with pain and fever in the
+deserted shack.  The householder had gone away at
+dawn on business, promising a speedy return, but had
+not come back, and Scathlin, his broken bone set rudely
+by an unskilled hand, lay suffering torments.  When
+Holt pushed the door open and looked in he started
+up with a yell, his eyes protruding in fear.  He thought
+that Holt was dead in the fire of the wreck, and this
+was his spirit come to demand account.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was only when Holt laid his cool hand on the
+dirty, crusted brow and spoke in his quiet voice of
+command, that Scathlin settled back, the terror still in his
+eyes, and consented to be still.  He began gradually to
+realize that Holt was there in the flesh, and that not
+for retribution either.  He had not succeeded in
+escaping his captor.  He never could do that.  But his
+captor would not be a tormentor.  That was plain.
+He had heard that Holt was "square" with his men,
+but had never believed it.  Now he had opportunity
+to judge for himself.  And so cunning and contemptible
+was the creature that when he was once assured
+of the fact that Holt would not strike him when he
+was down, he at once set about to take advantage of it.
+It was as if he had found a spot of honor wherein
+Holt was vulnerable, and there upon his bed of pain,
+in his loathsome helplessness, with no one to relieve
+him but Holt, he attacked that one pregnable spot of
+Holt's fortress.  Day and night he moaned and fretted.
+Hour after hour he demanded this and that, whining
+like a baby and cursing like a demon by turns.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The householder did not return.  It is possible that
+something ill befell him in that lonely plain over which
+he journeyed skirting the desert; it is probable that he
+had had enough of Scathlin's complaints and was glad
+to escape from his unwelcome guest.  However it was;
+Holt was there alone with him for many days, nursing
+him as tenderly as a woman might have done; bearing
+with his varying moods; washing him, feeding him,
+cooling his hot forehead.  Only once did Scathlin lapse
+from his role of pampered patient and beg with terror
+and abject humility in his eyes and voice, and that was
+the day when Holt declared his intention of going after
+a doctor.  Scathlin was sure that Holt meant to desert
+him, and he cried like a baby, swore like a mad man,
+and then pleaded and promised contritely.  But it was
+all of no avail and Holt left him for a few hours, with
+a supply at hand for every need, and went for a doctor.
+Scathlin's cries and curses followed him as far as he
+could hear, and something like pity came into his heart
+for the poor, wicked old criminal, so that he hastened
+his steps with all his might.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When he returned four hours later with a gruff
+but kindly doctor, the cunning look came back into the
+little beady eyes, and the bristly old jaw grew stubborn
+and selfish again.  He saw that Holt's honor still held
+and he meant to get the worth of his money out of him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The doctor came every few days after that and
+Scathlin improved rapidly, growing more arrogant
+every day.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Holt went about silently for the most part; nursing
+the patient, cooking his meals&mdash;there were a few
+supplies in the shack and Holt had bought more when
+he went for the doctor; besides there was game to be
+had for the shooting.  There was something about his
+set, stern face even in his gentleness that sometimes
+shamed Scathlin and silenced him for a while.  It was
+as if his mind was far away on higher things, and
+Scathlin's petty torments did not reach up into the
+rarefied air where he really lived.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Once when he was getting better and sitting up
+Scathlin attempted a story, so vile and low that the
+devil himself must have originated it.  He laughed
+immoderately as he told it, hoping to break the stern
+sadness of Holt's face, which fairly made him frantic to
+look at, but Holt looked at him with a kind of pity
+for a second, and then the sternness grew terrible.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Scathlin, cut that out, you beast!" he said, and
+left the cabin for the open air.  It was that day that
+Holt had a struggle with himself to stick to his job.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was no longer the necessity that brought him.
+The papers, the rest of them, wherever they were, were
+surely not here.  Holt had gone over every inch of
+Scathlin's clothes and possessions, and there was no
+place where he could possibly have hid them about the
+shack that Holt had not looked.  He had watched Scathlin
+by night and by day when he did not know he was
+being watched, and he was convinced that Scathlin was
+no longer protecting any papers of his.  The one which
+he had taken from the toe of Scathlin's shoe had proved
+to be his own and most important.  What Scathlin had
+done with the rest he was not sure, but it was probable
+that he had given some of them to Jean with the wallet
+which he had, of course, recognized, when he picked it
+up and handed it to her.  It was also possible that
+the man who owned the shack had, by some means,
+been wheedled into taking the papers back to
+Harrington.  Every circumstance made his speedy return to
+Hawk Valley advisable, and yet here he was chained to
+this helpless, peevish old man, who when he was done
+with him, would, if he could, stab him in the back for
+all he had done for him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+If anything of all this passed through Jasper Holt's
+mind as he paced up and down alone outside the cabin,
+he kept it to himself, and it made no mark upon his
+face.  Just as patiently and just as kindly he waited
+on that ungrateful old creature, all the time seeming to
+live himself on a higher plane and breathe a higher air;
+and the old man hated him for it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And so as the days at last came when the patient
+could walk about a little, the beady old eyes took on
+new cunning, the grizzly jaw grew more set, the
+whining complaints became more pitiful; and when Holt
+urged that now the time had come when they might
+go home without harm to the mending limb, Scathlin's
+eyes filled with fear, and he whined and begged for just
+a little longer.  For once more the vision of the stark
+tree against the sky, the swinging body, the retreating
+backs of Holt's strong men, haunted Scathlin's
+memory; and his terror returned with each day of his
+recovery.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+One day when Holt had gone at last to a settlement
+to procure a wagon and some other necessities for the
+journey, he returned to find the cunning old ingrate
+gone!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At first it seemed only a relief from a disagreeable
+task, and he would have let him go, only again there
+seemed that inner sense of finishing a task which made
+him go out and search.  For he knew the weak leg
+could not carry the man far, and he felt too that he
+must keep hold of Scathlin and take him back to face
+what he should find awaiting him in Hawk Valley of
+good or ill.  He might need the old man for a witness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And so he drew him from his crouching shelter,
+spoke to him firmly, and made a compact with him, for
+he recognized his fear.  That night saw the two again
+on their way to Hawk Valley.  Scathlin was to have
+shelter and food, and work when he was able, but in
+return he must abide by certain rules.  Scathlin,
+relieved and cunning still, promised eagerly, with many
+mental reservations; and so the pilgrimage at last was
+ended, and Holt was going back&mdash;back where the girl
+he loved was staying&mdash;the girl he loved, but might
+not see!
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p><a id="chap11"></a></p>
+
+<h2>
+CHAPTER XI
+</h2>
+
+<p>
+There had been no fuss made over Jasper Holt
+when he was born.  They handed him an honored
+name from some fierce old warrior of a forebear,
+relegated him to a fourth-story back nursery with a
+trained nurse, and left him to himself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His mother paused long enough before returning
+to her interrupted social career to look him over,
+declare that he had nice eyes and she believed his hair
+was going to curl; then she was swallowed up in the
+world from which she had reluctantly stepped aside.
+She had little use for a son except to dress him in
+velvets and Lord Fauntleroy collars and make of him
+a toy to amuse her guests.  Until he reached that stage
+she saw very little of him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Of his stern father he saw less.  He was immersed
+in business.  He was rich, but what of that?  He had
+to make more riches to keep the social whirl fed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The baby had a face and form worth noticing, even
+in his first days.  The great blue eyes that had attracted
+his mother's flitting attention, could be gray sometimes,
+and had in them depths of light and wisdom that fairly
+startled his practical nurse.  He had the brow of a
+philosopher, and gold hair rippled around the fine little
+head like a halo.  The old warrior-namesake must have
+bestowed upon him that firm chin beneath the cupid's
+bow of the lips, and surely an angel had lent him that
+smile!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But as he grew older there came into his eyes a
+wistfulness that was almost pathetic at times.  He was
+an affectionate child, quite embarrassing his cold,
+reserved nurse with his demonstrations, but winning the
+utmost devotion always from all who had to serve him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He was not a good boy in the conventional acceptation
+of the word.  He sweetly and serenely had his
+own way in everything from the time he could walk
+and talk.  He would neither eat what he did not like,
+nor wear what he did not fancy.  He did not take kindly
+to his mother's velvets and curls and lace collars.  He
+always disappeared hopelessly when made ready for a
+dress parade.  He would fight any bully on the back
+street who undertook to cheat the little lame newsboy,
+and he was always trying to take the part of some weak
+dog or child.  He could run down the street with the
+swiftness of a swallow, his pockets full of sharp stones,
+and hit every electric light in the block as he ran,
+and he was forever taking the blame frankly of all
+the broken windows and looted garden plots in the
+neighborhood.  In these days his acquaintance with his
+father was limited to severe interviews in which stern
+threats and scathing reprimands mingled with a galling
+sarcasm were dealt abundantly.  It was as his clear
+eyes looked steadily, unafraidly, into the angry steel
+ones of the man that his young face hardened, his
+warrior-chin took a firm set, and the light in his face
+was deadened by a stab of pain.  He was growing wise
+and losing his faith in the love he had taken for granted
+in both father and mother.  It was at that time that he
+lived mostly upon the street, and companioned with boys
+of the rougher class.  No one but his nurse knew it,
+and she but seldom.  She was only too glad to have
+the time off duty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was when they discovered a childish plot in the
+neighborhood to mob the president of a defaulting
+bank in which the hard-working parents of some of
+his playmates had lost their all, that Jasper was taken
+hold of by the law as leader and financier of the whole
+enterprise.  Bravely, proudly, he took the whole blame,
+exonerating the other boys, and declaring himself
+instigator of the affair.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His father paid a heavy fine to hush it up and took
+his son in charge.  A merciless whipping was the
+beginning of that interview between them, which the son
+received like a gentleman.  But when it was over he
+lifted reproachful eyes, steadied his quivering
+warrior-chin and said determinedly: "But all the same, father,
+I think I was right!  That man had been stealing those
+poor people's money!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The father looked at the little son with the unbroken
+will and swore!  He took away the cheap little
+firearms that the boy had purchased with his allowance
+for himself and the other boys, and he declared the
+allowance should cease until such time as the boy would
+own to his fault and come to his senses.  One isn't
+just quite sure, but, perhaps after all, the removal of
+his allowance was the very best thing that father ever
+did for his little, lonely son who had begun so early
+to reform the world with a high hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jasper went up to his room and thought.  Then he
+went out and consulted with a newsboy friend of his,
+and presently he was established on a paper route of his
+own.  For several weeks he sold papers till he had
+enough money to replace his lost revolver.  Then he
+was satisfied and retired from business for the time, but
+this was not his first business venture, and his father
+began to discover that the threat of taking away the
+allowance had no effect whatever on his determined
+young son.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Yet in spite of his bravery and strength, in spite
+of his high purposes and anarchistic tendencies, there
+was in the boy's nature a great wealth of love and a
+desire to be loved.  He was, in his younger days,
+forever throwing his arms about his beautiful mother's
+neck and kissing her to her great disgust and the severe
+detriment of her complexion; until finally he became
+shy about showing his affection, and the lines of
+loneliness and yearning grew deeper about the young
+mouth.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was the time he ran away that made him sure
+that no one cared for him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jasper had been up before the paternal tribunal for
+some trivial offense, and his word had not been taken in
+explanation, against the word of his younger brother&mdash;who
+had arrived on the scene some three years later
+than himself, and through some strange fantasy of
+selfishness was the beloved darling of his mother.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Perry Holt had sharp little effeminate features like
+his mother's, and had been petted and spoiled from
+the moment his whimsical mother first saw him.  If
+there was any trouble Perry was usually at the bottom
+of it and Jasper was blamed for it, because Jasper was
+"so queer" and "so wild" and "always getting into
+trouble and doing what he ought not to do."  That
+was the way his mother put it.  And so she had ordered
+Jasper to his father's den for a reprimand for
+something Perry really had done, and Jasper's word was
+doubted!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He took his punishment silently and went to his
+room and his bed, where he lay motionless staring into
+the darkness.  If he had been a girl he might have
+sobbed, so hurt was his soul; but being Jasper he held
+back the stinging tears that burned his eyes and stared
+hard into the dark.  At midnight, when the servants
+were asleep, he arose and stole softly from the house
+before his mother and father had returned from some
+social function they were attending.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He stayed away three days, companioning with
+waifs who had no homes, and then his homesick heart
+brought him back again with longing to see his mother.
+He reached the house at early dusk and found his
+mother and Perry getting into the car to ride to the
+station where they were to meet his father and take a
+pleasure trip to Washington for a few days!  They
+had not even missed him and were going off without
+knowing where he was!  His mother looked at him
+with disgust and told him to go into the house and
+wash his face, that he "looked a perfect fright"; and
+then the car whirled off and left him gazing after his
+dream of what a mother ought to be.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After that Jasper never expected anything more
+from his mother or his family.  He began to see that
+life was meant to be a lonely job and it "was up to
+him" how it turned out.  He seemed to grow up and
+be wise beyond his years in that few seconds that he
+stood gazing after the car vanishing in the dusk.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When it was discovered that he was spending most
+of his time on the street in the company of newsboys
+and working men's sons, he was fitted out expensively
+and sent away to boarding school where he began a
+lively career.  Those who understood him adored him,
+but they were few, and were mostly confined to small
+boys and the working class.  The little boys in the
+school followed him like flies after molasses and obeyed
+him abjectly.  The teachers dreaded and feared and
+hated him almost to a man, with the exception of now
+and then a woman who had an unusual amount of fine
+instinct and saw the yearning for love in his eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From school to school he went, out of one scrape
+into another, yet no one stopped to enquire what it
+was all about or to discover that almost every trouble
+he got into was for the sake of someone else, or some
+real principle.  That his efforts at reform were against
+the rules of the school, and could therefore but fail,
+made no difference to him.  He went right on setting
+things right as far as he could and then taking the
+consequences.  He saw the futility of his efforts and
+sometimes clenched his sturdy fists and thought of the
+future when he should be able to "lick" those unfair
+teachers who couldn't see that they were letting some
+fellows go scot free who were more to blame than the
+ones who were punished.  Some day he would be
+bigger than they, and then he would back up his
+protests with a strength that could not be gainsaid.  And
+so he went on fighting bullies who were bigger than
+himself and who did not hesitate to put the whole story
+in a good light for themselves; and taking the
+consequences in such a way that when he left a school the
+principal had beneath his open relief a troubled undertone
+of smallness, and of feeling that, after all, the
+boy had got the better of him, for there had been the
+look of a conqueror in Jasper's eye as he parted from
+him at the station.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Somehow he got himself through with his preparatory
+studies and was allowed to pass on.  It surely
+was not from any great scholastic attainments, for
+he never bothered himself to learn lessons that he did
+not care for, nor to recite them after he had learned
+them, and examinations meant nothing at all to him.
+If he chose to take one he did so, and then spoiled the
+whole paper by some erratic tirade of his own on some
+special question; or else took the whole thing as a joke.
+If he did not choose to take an examination he calmly
+sat through the allotted time intent upon his own
+thoughts and handed in no paper at the close.  His
+teachers raved and ranted.  They punished and they
+threatened.  But Jasper went calmly on and did as
+he pleased; and strange to say in all that checkered
+career there were but two teachers who understood,
+the soul with whom they had to deal, and could lead
+him like a lamb by a mere smile or word to do the
+hardest tasks.  For those two he slaved, not because he
+saw any reason in their demands always, but because
+he desired to please them, for they had proved
+themselves what he called "square."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Nevertheless he had acquired through it all a most
+marvellous and varied amount of knowledge.  Nothing
+escaped him.  He never forgot anything he heard,
+and the classes through which he had sat, perpetrating
+many of his jokes upon the teachers, had all left their
+impress upon him.  What he had heard the other students
+recite, that he knew.  If you began to quote a
+line of poetry which had been studied in English class
+he would promptly finish it and, when he chose, tell
+you much about the author.  His teachers would have
+been amazed if they could have heard him.  And
+often when another fellow took a high rank in
+the class in mathematics it had been Jasper who had
+showed him how to work his problems&mdash;problems that
+he had not taken the trouble to work out for himself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Why should I?" he once answered a troublesome
+principal who was admonishing him about preparing
+his lessons, "I get what I need out of them, and that's
+all that's necessary, isn't it?  It's my education, isn't it?
+My teacher isn't getting any good out of my writing
+out all that junk, is he?  It isn't doing him any good,
+why should I take the trouble?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And this was his hopeless attitude whenever he had
+to deal with teachers whom he did not reverence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In college he was much the same, only that it did
+not matter there so much.  There were more men and
+he was less under authority.  It was expected that he
+should have some independence.  Yet even here he was
+mixed up in a great many of the troubles.  Finally, in
+his third year, his college career came to a sudden and
+final ending in the midst of a disgrace that was not
+his own, but which he took upon his own sturdy
+shoulders to save another youth who had a widowed
+mother dependent upon him, and must get through
+college before he could support her.  Whether or not his
+action was justified by the following chapters of that
+weak and careless youth's life is not a part of this
+story to tell.  It may be that Jasper himself learned
+some lessons by the disgrace he took upon himself and
+the lightness with which the real criminal accepted his
+sacrifice.  However that may be, Jasper's mother, by
+that time an attractive widow, was so thoroughly
+outraged by her son's behavior&mdash;she never knew, of
+course, that he himself had not been at fault&mdash;that she
+drove him from his home in scorn and contempt.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Hurt to the heart the boy obeyed; too proud to
+explain; knowing she would be but the angrier if she
+knew the truth; knowing there was no mother heart
+in her for him, nor ever had been.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He went straight to the great, wide, free west,
+and roamed for a year from one place to another
+restlessly, still expecting some day to return when his
+mother should feel differently.  Then he saw in the
+papers the notice of her marriage to a man he never
+had liked, and so he settled down on the claim he had
+already taken, and built up around his young, lonely
+life a something which he called home.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Gradually the outcasts of society had been drawn
+to him for help or comfort in dire need and peril from
+the law; and always he had sympathy with any who
+were without the pale of the respectable world, even
+though in no other way could he feel anything
+congenial about them.  His home came to be the refuge
+for sinners, and because their crimes were many and
+his hearth was wide, their sins were fastened to him in
+name if not in deed; as when a child he bore the
+blame for others and himself grew strong.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He built them rude dwellings on his land, and some
+he chose to be his trusted ones.  One by one he tested
+them and found them true to him and to his few simple
+principles of life.  Sternly he ruled them, and greatly
+did they love and reverence their boy leader, and were
+proud to follow him.  If one of them transgressed
+again he was dealt with justly; and once a body swayed
+and hung stark against the sky in justice for a deed
+of shame.  It was this memory that Scathlin held and
+feared, although it had happened long before he
+came to take refuge from some petty deed of his.
+Scathlin had never entered the closer brotherhood of
+men who guarded Holt's own private quarters.  His
+place had been upon the outer edge of things.  He was
+not trusted&mdash;never had been&mdash;and knew he was not
+trustworthy.  So it was that he dreaded going back
+to those relentless men, who, if they once found out
+that he had robbed their leader of valuable property
+and betrayed him into the hands of an enemy who had
+long looked with hungry eyes at the rich silver mine
+and abundant water supply that were his, would stop
+at nothing till justice had been done upon his
+contemptible head.  But by that same honor that made
+men love and serve him, old Scathlin knew that Holt
+had not yet told his men about his loss of the wallet,
+nor whom he suspected.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This was Jasper Holt, and this his story up to the
+time that he met Jean and laid his roses at her threshold.
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p><a id="chap12"></a></p>
+
+<h2>
+CHAPTER XII
+</h2>
+
+<p>
+It was late when Jean awoke.  The household had
+been quiet on her account, and breakfast was delayed.
+Jean came down white with her vigil, but sweet and
+smiling notwithstanding.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The morning had brought clear vision and she was
+sure now that the paper in her possession must be given
+to Holt and no other.  She had settled so much and
+would await her opportunity.  This decided, her mind
+was at peace, and she entered the dining-room with a
+smile of greeting for everyone.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Late as it was, the master of the house had not yet
+appeared and the family stood about waiting for him.
+But as Jean entered the servant came in from an opposite
+door with his arms full of roses, and stood before
+her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Such roses!  Jean had never seen such wealth of
+beauty, such luxuriance of coloring.  They all
+exclaimed in wonder over them!  Clear golden-yellow
+with a deep, rosy tint at heart like liquid rubies spilled
+into them.  Great heavy-headed buds and full blown
+roses in abundance, many of them still on the trailing
+vines, as if they had been plucked with ruthless hand
+to offer to a queen; their fragrance filled the room like
+a burst of incense from some oriental shrine.  The
+servant laid them in her arms as though he were offering
+her a crown and sceptre.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"How wonderful!" murmured the girl, receiving
+them and laying her face reverently down to their
+exquisite beauty.  "Where did they come from?  Are
+they mine?  Do they grow here?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I found them at the door, Miss," said the man
+respectfully.  "There's only a card with your name."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Why, how strange!" said Mrs. Harrington, stepping
+forward to inspect the card.  "Who could have
+sent them?  I have told a number of the young men
+about your coming, and they are all eager to see you;
+but it's strange that whoever sent these beautiful roses
+shouldn't have given his name.  They are wonderfully
+rare.  Somebody must have squandered his month's
+earnings on them.  They couldn't have been bought
+around here.  I suppose they came from some florist a
+long way off."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The discreet servant narrowed his eyes and turned
+away suddenly as he saw his master enter.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Just look here, James, what beautiful roses
+someone has sent Jean!  Wasn't that lovely of him,
+whoever he is?  They were at the door when John opened
+it this morning, and no name on them!  Who do you
+suppose could have sent them?  Stockton Holmes, or
+Gartney Fowler, or even Captain Wetherill, perhaps?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the master of the house glanced sharply at the
+roses and a frown came between his brows.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"There's only one place around here where roses
+like that grow," he announced ominously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His wife looked at him with a frightened expression.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You don't mean&mdash;&mdash;?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes," said Harrington.  "They're Holt's Golden Sunset!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was an ominous silence as the husband and
+wife looked at each other.  Then Mrs. Harrington
+turned to her sister, who stood behind her roses with an
+exquisite flush on her cheeks and a soft, burning light
+of battle in her eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Jean, did you know where they came from?"
+her sister asked, almost haughtily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Jean's lovely face showed no sign of intimidation
+as she raised it, gravely sweet, from the roses
+which she held as she might have held a little child.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I thought perhaps Mr. Holt sent them," she said
+simply.  "He told me about his roses.  But excuse me
+just a minute till I put them in water.  I won't keep
+you waiting."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When Jean returned after laying her roses tenderly
+in the wash-bowl in her room and bending to touch her
+lips to their petals, there was no look on her face as if
+anything unusual had passed except a kind of glorified
+light in her eyes.  She began at once to give her sister
+a message from their mother, tactfully ignoring the
+flowers and their donor.  But Harrington's set look
+did not relax during the entire meal.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After breakfast there was the whole place to be
+seen; the garden, the horses, the rabbits, and the new
+lawn-tennis court, the only one in town, where the
+young officers from the Fort came down to play sometimes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The children came out of their shyness and adopted
+their new relative ecstatically, monopolizingly.  They
+drew her down on the garden seat and plied her with
+questions, and they chattered away happily, feeling her
+hair, touching her cheek softly now and then, playing
+with the ribbons at her throat.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Papa's awfully angry that Jasper Holt brought
+you home," confided Betty.  "I heard him tell mamma
+he'd rather have lost fifty thousand dollars than had it
+happen."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The color stole into Jean's cheeks and a flash came
+in her eyes, but she tried to control herself.  She did
+not want to discuss this matter with the children, and
+yet she felt that she must be true to the man who had
+saved her life.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Mr. Holt was very kind to me, Betty," she said
+quietly.  "I'm sorry he is not a friend of your papa's.
+If he hadn't taken care of me I would probably have
+drowned, and I'm sure I never would have got safely
+here.  He was wonderful!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Jasper Holt's a bad, wicked man," said Jamie,
+looking at her with round eyes and a frown that was a
+very good imitation of his father's.  "He-he-he
+<i>hanged</i> a man once!  On a <i>tree</i>!  Yes, he <i>did</i>!  Tied a
+string around his neck and hung him up hard till he
+died!  He's a <i>nawful</i> bad man.  Nicky Deens told me
+that.  My mamma don't know he told me.  Nicky said
+not to tell.  But Nicky Deens saw the tree once when
+he went with his papa out to the desert riding, and he
+heard the men tell all about it.  They didn't know he
+heard it, but he <i>did</i>."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I don't think much of a little boy that tells you
+not to tell your mother things," said Jean in a choking
+voice.  "I don't believe I shall like Nicky Deens."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, you will," said Jamie in distress for his
+friend.  "He's a <i>nawful</i> nice boy.  He can ride a horse
+just like his papa&mdash;&mdash;" and Jamie launched into a
+description of the prowess of Nicky Deens, but Jean,
+although she tried to smile, was not listening.  Her
+heart was in a tumult and her eyes were full of fire
+and indignation.  Jasper had told her about that man
+who hung on the tree.  She knew the whole story with
+all its circumstances, and she knew that Nicky Deens
+had heard a false account of the affair.  Suddenly she
+turned on her astonished young nephew and spoke:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Jamie," she said looking earnestly into his big,
+blue eyes, "Jamie, I want to tell you something.  That
+story you heard about Mr. Holt is not true.  He is not
+a bad man.  People don't know.  He is good and kind,
+and he has been Auntie Jean's friend.  It isn't right
+nor fair for you to listen to stories about him.  Little
+boys like Nicky Deens don't know about things always,
+and maybe they don't mean to tell what isn't true, but
+if you love Auntie Jean and believe she tells you what
+is true you will not let anybody say bad things any
+more about Mr. Holt.  It isn't necessary for you to talk
+about it at all if your papa doesn't like Mr. Holt, but
+you don't need to listen to unpleasant things about him.
+People have not understood Mr. Holt, or they would
+not have talked that way."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jamie looked at her with round, wondering eyes,
+and his paternal frown grew.  He did not like to have
+his thrilling story spoiled by being told it was not true,
+but then, this new aunt had pretty eyes and a smile that
+was good.  Besides, she had promised to tell him a
+story, so, with mental reservations, he said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Aw right, I won't!" and sighed to relinquish this
+choice bit of gossip, even during the period of his
+aunt's stay.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was a relief to Jean that her sister came just then
+and sent the children off to play, sitting down for a
+real visit about home and their dear ones.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Finally there came a pause in their conversation
+about home and the two sisters looked at each other
+contentedly, glad to be together again after the long
+separation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Jean, dear," said Eleanor eagerly, "I hope you're
+going to have a lovely time while you're here.  I've told
+every man in the region about you and they are dying
+to call on you.  I don't know how many have tried
+to bribe me to let them be first.  There are no end of
+charming young fellows here.  The Post being so near
+brings some of them, you know, and they love to come
+over to our house and get a real home meal and a glimpse
+of something like what they are used to.  There's
+Charlie Evans, you'll like him I know.  He's quite
+serious&mdash;thought of studying for the ministry at one
+time, but I understand he began to be rather skeptical
+and gave it up.  You'll be just the one to do a little
+missionary work on him.  You have great talents in
+that direction I remember.  Mother has been telling
+me what wonders you've worked in your Sunday School
+class at the mission.  And there's Freeman Thorne,
+he's grave and serious enough to suit your solemnest
+mood; and there are scores of others.  You'll have
+flowers and invitations, more than you can attend to,
+pretty soon.  We've lots of plans made already to help
+you have a good time.  But I want to give you a little
+warning, dear."  A kind of constraint came in her
+voice.  "Don't speak about Jasper Holt unless you
+have to, and then the very briefest word.  He isn't in
+good repute at all, indeed, he isn't!  I understand how
+grateful you feel, of course; you weren't in a position
+to judge what kind of a fellow he was.  I don't
+suppose one's manners would show up very badly in the
+woods when two people had been drowning and barely
+escaped with their lives.  People don't think of
+manners at such a time&mdash;&mdash;"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Eleanor, he was a perfect gentleman," put in Jean
+indignantly.  "There were lots of chances to show
+unrefinement, and he was a <i>perfect gentleman</i> every
+time.  You don't understand, Eleanor."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, now dear, you'll have to trust me a little.
+I know just what he is, <i>a bad man</i>&mdash;a really <i>bad</i> young
+man!  Papa wouldn't have your name mixed up with
+his for <i>anything in the world</i>!  I know you can't be
+convinced, just now, because you've come through an
+unusual experience together, and I'm sure I'm glad if
+he was half decent&mdash;it wasn't to be expected&mdash;though
+it's what I've always claimed, that a really nice girl
+always has the upper hand of a man, even a bad man, and
+he dare not be rude to her.  Then, of course, it was quite
+thoughtful of him to leave those roses the way he did
+and go away without any message.  I'll give him credit
+for that.  But it was most unfortunate that he should
+have been the one to save you!  Papa would not at
+all approve of your having anything more to do with
+him whatever."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That is just what he said," said Jean quietly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What <i>he</i> said!" exclaimed her sister.  "Really!
+Then he does realize a little what people think of him!
+Well, that is a commendable attitude, of course, and if
+you think it necessary, you might write a formal little
+note, very brief, and thank him for bringing you home,
+but make him understand that he is not to presume&mdash;or,
+if you prefer, I might do it for you.  On second
+thought I think mamma would prefer that I&mdash;&mdash;"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It is not in the least necessary, Eleanor; I have
+thanked Mr. Holt already, and he understands perfectly
+that it would not be agreeable to you to have him come
+here.  You said you had sewing to do, don't you want
+me to help you with something?  I'd love to."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a dignity in the set of the head and the
+firm curve of lip that made Mrs. Harrington survey her
+young sister with wonder and silence as they arose and
+went toward the house.  The way Jean had set aside
+the topic of young Holt was masterly.  Mrs. Harrington
+had not said nearly all she meant to say on the
+subject, but somehow she did not see the way clear to
+open the subject again at present.  She looked at Jean
+uneasily from time to time as they sat together in the
+house, or went about from room to room, flying from
+one topic to another as people will do who have been
+long separated.  Three distinct times did Mrs. Harrington
+essay to give an extended dissertation on the
+evil deeds and reputation of Jasper Holt, and each
+time the subject was as summarily closed, and quietly
+set aside by Jean as if she had no interest whatever in
+the young man.  It gave the woman almost an uncanny
+feeling, and actually disturbed her seriously, so
+that she was threatened with one of her nervous
+headaches; and after lunch, having had to confess to her
+husband that she had made no headway in doing his
+bidding about enlightening her sister with regard to
+his enemy, she retired to her darkened room to sleep.
+Jean, glad of escape to quiet, fled to her roses.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Broodingly, as a mother would touch her little child
+while it sleeps, Jean hovered over those flowers.  The
+door was locked safe from intrusion, and the children
+sent to a neighbor's that the house might be quiet.
+She drew the little table near the great window chair,
+and placed the bowl of roses upon it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They filled the bowl, lying heavy-headed in great
+sheaves over its rim on their cool, luscious leaves,
+those leaves of that peculiar green touched with burnt
+sienna on tips and veins, that speak of a high state
+of cultivation, and rare stock.  She laid her cheek
+against the cool yellow of the flowers, then her lips,
+then her closed eyelids, while she let her thoughts rove
+back to the yesterday and the time when their giver had
+been at her side; the words he had spoken, the way he
+had looked, the sound of his voice, and the firm clasp
+of his hand.  It all rushed over her in a tumult of joy
+and sorrow.  This was the man she knew, so kind,
+so tender, so strong, so true; and that other was the
+one they thought he was!  She could never feel that
+way about him no matter what people told her, for she
+had seen what they had not.  If they had been there in
+her place and he had been that strong companion and
+friend they might have understood.  She would, of
+course, respect their wishes, and not do anything to
+trouble those who loved her; but she would trust him
+always.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And now there stirred in her mind the remembrance
+of that paper, the disposition of which she must decide
+at once.  How should she get it to him?  It would
+not do to send for him.  He could not, probably would
+not, come if she did.  Even a letter which did not
+explain too much would be a difficult thing to manage,
+at least until she knew the way to the post-office and
+could mail it herself.  If it were carried by a servant
+or a member of the family it might be subject to
+inspection.  Yet the paper ought to go to him at once.
+Still, of course, in her keeping it was at least out of
+his enemies' hands, if enemies they were, these dear
+people of her own family.  Oh, why were things at
+once so bitter and so sweet in this hard, bright world?
+She buried her face in the roses again and let their
+sweetness rush over her.  As she did so a slight rustling
+sound startled her, and when she lifted up her face and
+then pressed it close again she heard it once more.
+Curious, with a wild fleeting hope floating through her
+brain, she sat up and began to touch the buds and
+blossoms softly, eagerly, searchingly with her fingers.
+Yes, there it was, that sound of crackling paper!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She folded back the petals of the largest bud, and
+there, laid deftly in like another flower-leaf, she found
+a tiny bit of folded paper.  Eagerly she took it out and
+opened it, for it was very thin and folded close, and
+there was writing, small and fine, but boldly, distinctly
+clear:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I have to go away.  For how long I do not know.
+I shall not forget my promise.  You may trust me.  I
+hope you have a happy time."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The tears were in her eyes as she read the brief
+message over and over again, and laid her lips upon it.
+Bright drops fell upon the roses and stood like dew
+drops.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She searched the other blossoms carefully, but
+there were no more messages, and she had known there
+would not be.  He would not think it "square" to
+write more of the things that were in his heart, and
+she loved him the more for his sense of honor toward
+her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then she remembered the water contract.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Now, what should she do with the paper?  She
+could not give it to him while he was away.  It might
+await his return and be lost if she trusted it to the
+mail.  She must wait for a few days and see if he came
+back; and meantime she would listen and watch as far
+as it lay in her power, that no harm came near his
+rights.  If worst came to worst she would confide in
+her father.  He was wise, and he would understand.
+He would feel as she did about this matter if he knew
+all.  The difficulty would be to make him know all
+through the medium of a mere letter.  But for the
+present she would wait.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A sense of desolation settled down upon her when
+she realized that Holt was gone away; yet she was at
+peace about it.  At least she need not always be fearing
+lest her relatives should be unpleasant to him, or that
+embarrassing circumstances might arise where she
+would be obliged to choose between her sense of loyalty
+to her lover and her sense of loyalty to her relatives
+in whose home she was a guest.  But for a little time
+she put away these thoughts and let her happy heart
+dwell on the fact that he had sent these glorious roses
+with their secret message; and finally she lay down for
+a rest and slept, with one great yellow bud nestled
+against her cheek.
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p><a id="chap13"></a></p>
+
+<h2>
+CHAPTER XIII
+</h2>
+
+<p>
+The days which followed fulfilled all Mrs. Harrington's
+prophecies so far as gaiety was concerned.
+One round of pleasure succeeded another.  The days
+were filled with picnics and rides and the evenings with
+merry makings of all descriptions at all the houses in
+the region round about Hawk Valley.  There were not
+wanting many young officers and others who were
+eager to teach the sweet young stranger from the east
+to ride.  Horses especially trained and gentled for her
+use were brought as offerings at her shrine, and flowers
+from near and far were sent to her.  The Harrington
+children were in danger of becoming chronic dyspeptics
+on the surplus of the confections with which she was
+constantly supplied; and there was no opportunity for
+her to become lonely or morbid as the summer days
+sped by in a round of pleasure.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Yet through it all Jean moved, lovely and serene
+as a summer morning.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"She acts as if she had been in society for years,"
+complained Eleanor to her husband.  "Nothing moves
+her out of her quiet dignity.  She doesn't gush or
+become enthusiastic at anybody.  The sky and the flowers
+and the children please her more than all the adulation
+she receives.  One would almost judge her engaged or
+married already.  I wonder if it can be there is a
+sweetheart at home that we don't know about.  I must write
+and ask mamma.  I can't make it out.  I thought
+Captain Hawthorne would surely make an impression,
+he has such charming manners, and is so deferential
+to women; but she looked at him to-day with that sweet
+far-away expression, exactly as she might have looked
+at her grandfather.  Of course it made him desperately
+determined to get her attention, but she never seemed
+to know nor care.  One would almost think it was a
+studied pose to get as many at her feet as possible, if
+one didn't know Jean better."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Did you ever think that perhaps her thoughts are
+with that scoundrel Holt?" her husband asked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Nonsense!" said his wife sharply.  "She never
+mentions him.  She has forgotten all about him.  I
+think she was extremely annoyed at our making so
+much of his bringing her home."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, don't you be too sure.  I wonder where
+the deuce he is.  I'll be willing to bet he's up to some
+mischief."'
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Don't worry," said his wife, "I'm only too glad
+he's taken himself away.  I hope he'll keep hidden until
+Jean is safely home again so we won't be annoyed."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I hope he'll come back and let us see what he's up
+to," growled her husband as she left the room.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And at last one day shortly before Jean was to
+return to her father's house, Holt came back.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With him appeared Scathlin, riding into town daily,
+side by side with the younger man, on one of Holt's
+horses; looking older, with a sheepish expression and
+a shifty eye that failed to meet men's gaze.  It was
+rumored that Holt had found him with a broken leg,
+nursed him into strength again and brought him home.
+Those who knew Scathlin felt that Holt's power over
+him was more than that of gratitude.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It happened that Jean was riding with the Captain
+one morning when they came down to the post-office
+together, and the glad smile with which she greeted
+Holt was followed by a frightened expression as she
+recognized Scathlin.  Her escort was so astonished
+at having to lift his hat to Holt that he failed to notice
+her startled glance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+No one could have told by Holt's grave bow that
+he was meeting the one of all the earth to him.  Only
+the light in his eyes told of his joy in seeing her once
+more, and reassured the girl as she glanced from
+Scathlin back to his own face.  It was Captain Hawthorne's
+annoyed drawl that recalled her to the present
+out of the whirl of joy that the sight of Holt brought.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Where in the world did you ever meet that
+scoundrel that he should presume to speak to you?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A flush of indignation rose to her cheeks, her chin
+tilted just the slightest bit haughtily, and her eyes held
+a dangerous light in them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Excuse me, Captain Hawthorne, Mr. Holt is my
+friend.  He did me the greatest service one can do for
+another.  He saved my life."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I beg your pardon, Miss Grayson, I didn't mean
+to offend you.  That alters the case of course.  One
+is always grateful for one's life, and may thank even
+a dog.  You can afford to be generous, sometimes, but
+have a care!  You do not know Holt!  It's the only
+good thing I ever heard of him, that he saved your
+life.  I would it had been my privilege instead of his."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Thank you, Captain Hawthorne," Jean spoke
+frigidly, "but you misunderstand me.  I am not
+speaking to Mr. Holt because I am grateful or generous,
+but because I honor and trust him as a friend."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You do not know him, Miss Grayson.  He is not
+a man whom anyone trusts."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It is you who do not know him, Captain Hawthorne.
+I know him better than you, and I trust him
+entirely.  During our terrible experience together at
+the time of the wreck I had ample opportunity to test
+Mr. Holt, and I found him a gentleman and a true
+friend in every trying situation."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And now indeed Jean's tone was unmistakable,
+and the alarmed Captain, who had congratulated
+himself that he was making pretty good headway with the
+fair lady, made hasty apologies.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I beg your pardon, of course," he said humbly.
+"I'm sure I'm glad to hear that he behaved decently.
+To tell you the truth I don't know much personally
+about Holt.  I've only taken what others say; and I've
+always thought his reckless appearance bore out their
+insinuations.  Forgive me if I have annoyed you, and
+try to forget what I've said.  This day is perfect and the
+road is particularly fine.  Shall we try a gallop?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean was glad of the relief from conversation, and
+kept her horse on a wild gait the most of the way; for
+her mind was in a tumult.  How was she to get that
+paper to Holt and what should she say in explanation
+of its being in her possession?  The question had been
+much in her mind during Holt's absence, and she had
+been unable to decide just what she should do when
+he returned, but now it must be decided at once, for
+there ought to be no delay about the paper.  The sinister
+look in the faded blue eye of Scathlin as he looked at
+her made her fear to keep it in her possession any
+longer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The ride at last was ended.  It had not been a very
+great success from the Captain's point of view and he
+went away dejected, while Jean hurried to her room
+and tried to plan what to do.  The sight of Scathlin
+worried her.  If the old man knew what papers the
+wallet had contained he probably knew the significance of
+each.  The conversation she had overheard seemed to
+include him in the plot, if plot there was, against Holt.
+Of course, since he had returned, he would seek out
+the other two men and explain why he had sent the
+wallet; and perhaps he had the other missing paper
+himself, the one that contained valuable information
+about the location of ore.  It was even possible that
+he knew already that she, his unwilling messenger, had
+the water contract.  He must have known it was in the
+wallet when he gave it to her and it would be entirely
+natural for him to think she had taken it out.
+Something in the gleam of his eye as he looked at her had
+made her tremble; and she longed to fly straight to
+Holt and give him the paper frankly and openly, but
+it was a matter that could not be handled openly, and
+she was not a diplomat, therefore she trembled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Finally, after careful thought, and much writing
+and tearing up of what she had written she framed a
+brief note to Holt.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+On the morning that she mailed it Scathlin
+happened to be in the village.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Holt had gone away very early in the morning,
+on a matter of business, leaving word that he might
+not return until the next day, and Scathlin felt like a
+prisoner let out of jail.  It was his first opportunity
+to go about without Holt's eyes upon him.  True, he
+was under oath to do and not to do certain things,
+with penalty of a judgment which he knew would not
+be light.  Yet his natural cunning found many ways
+to carry on his schemes without violating the letter of
+his contract with Holt.  He knew that Holt had brought
+him there as a witness against his enemies in the case
+of the stolen papers&mdash;he knew this, though Holt had
+said no word of it to him&mdash;and he knew that Holt
+would watch him closely&mdash;that he probably had him
+under espionage even during this brief absence; yet he
+longed to outwit his keeper and get the better of him.
+If it only had not been for the loss of that water
+contract his way would have been plain.  He had already
+managed an interview with Harrington and learned
+the facts without revealing all the facts in his own
+possession.  He professed to Harrington that all the
+original papers were in the wallet when he gave it to
+the girl, and that it had been his only hope of saving
+them from Holt.  That Holt had managed to save the
+girl and bring her home only proved that he was as
+hard to get away from as the devil himself.  This
+explanation Scathlin devised while he listened to
+Harrington's story, secretly realizing, with bitterness, his
+own blunder in leaving the water contract in the wallet.
+His excuse was that he had no time to take out another
+paper and secrete it safely before Holt saw him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Might and day Scathlin worried over that water
+contract, coming always back to the conclusion that
+Holt must have it or know where it was; and he had
+searched every available hiding place in Holt's house
+for it, but failed as yet to discover it.  When they met
+Jean riding, the old man had noted carefully the
+expression on his companion's face as he touched his hat
+to her, and the lighting up of the girl's face.  His keen
+little eyes searched, and found an idea.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Therefore, that first morning of his freedom from
+Holt, when he sat on the curbstone with one of the men
+from the Divide, talking over the latest cattle stealing,
+his eye took in with keen interest the figure of Jean
+coming down the street accompanied by her little niece,
+a bundle of letters in her hand to be mailed.  He
+watched her furtively as she passed him, though she
+did not see him, and as soon as she was inside the
+post-office door he got up hurriedly and followed her,
+professing that he had an errand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He watched her slipping her letters one by one
+into the post box, and kept his eye upon her as she
+turned and went out again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He made a small purchase at the counter on the
+other side of the post-office room, and went out, but
+an hour later, when he returned that way, the
+postmaster leaned from his window and called him.  "Hey,
+there, Scathlin, goin' up home?  Here's a letter fer
+Holt."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Scathlin, wary as any fox, concealed the start he
+almost gave, and turned with indifference.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"'Spose I might's well take it," he said, and receiving
+the letter, went on his way toward home.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The way was long and bright and hot, and Scathlin
+was not feeling up to a hard walk yet after his weeks
+in bed; but he managed it in an incredibly short space
+of time, and as he walked he studied that letter.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was dainty and white, the writing unmistakably
+feminine, and mailed in Hawk Valley.  Scathlin's
+imagination stirred within him, and he was almost sure
+he needed to know what was in that letter.  He held it
+up to the light but nothing was revealed.  He tried
+to pry open a corner of the flap that was not closely
+sealed, and squint in, but not a glimpse of writing was
+visible.  He went home, laid it on the desk in Holt's
+office and sat down to watch it and think.  Then just
+before the return for dinner of the other two men who
+were about the place he quietly put it in his pocket.  He
+preferred to think about that letter awhile longer before
+any one else saw it.  When they came in Scathlin had
+the fire going and a fine steam ascending from the
+tea-kettle, an unusual attention on his part toward other
+members of his group, unless he was pressed to service.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Scathlin had exhausted his capacity for work
+with putting on the teakettle, for he sat dreamily
+meditating in a chair tilted back against the wall, his feet
+on the rounds, a straw in his mouth, and his eyes
+narrow and gleaming.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Dear friend: I have something that I am sure
+belongs to you.  Is it safe for me to send it to you
+through the mail?  I think it must be valuable.  Please
+let me know quickly for I am going home in a few
+days."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Those were the magic words the steam had
+revealed to Scathlin, and on which he meditated with
+his eyes half closed while his companions scornfully
+cooked the corn bread and bacon and cursed him for a
+lazy good-for-nothing.  He continued his meditations
+unmoved until the men had eaten and were gone on
+their way.  When they were out of sight he arose with
+alacrity and prepared a hasty meal, keeping his eye on
+the clock.  He ate hurriedly, cleaned and loaded a pistol
+which he took from a hiding place behind a loose brick
+of the chimney, and went out the back door toward the
+woods.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+About the same time Jean Grayson mounted the
+pony that had been set aside for her use while in Hawk
+Valley, and started out for her daily call on an old
+lady who had taken a great fancy to her, because of
+her likeness to a daughter long since dead.  She was
+fond of the sweet old lady, and found her quiet little
+home a refuge from the round of society that sometimes
+became almost oppressive at her sister's house.
+She had discovered that she could avoid certain annoyingly
+frequent callers by being thus absent a little while,
+and especially during the last two weeks she had made
+this pleasant pilgrimage almost every day.  Perhaps a
+part of the pleasantness of the trip was in the fact that
+the road lay back of Holt's land, and his house, though
+almost a mile from where she had to pass, was plainly
+to be seen at one high point on the road, as it stood
+boldly against the sky, its wide verandas shrouded in
+rose vines.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean never ventured on the road that led past the
+house itself, for it was off the general highway; but
+she had often longed to see the spot where he lived at
+closer range.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As she rode along she mused about the letter she
+had written and whether that had been the right way
+and the only way to do about getting the paper into the
+hands of its owner.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had once heard a great speaker say that there
+was never a situation where there was not a right thing
+to do next.  She felt sure she had done the right thing
+so far as her light showed her; and yet she could not
+lay it aside and be at peace, but was in a tremor of
+excitement awaiting Holt's reply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As she reached the high point in the road she looked
+as usual off toward the rose-vined dwelling, half
+hoping to see a sign of the master of the house; but the
+vines lay shimmering in the sun of the warm mid-day,
+and nothing seemed stirring about the place.  She
+walked the pony slowly along until the house was out
+of sight, and the road entered the shady quiet where
+wooded land on either side hid the glare of the
+afternoon.  Just beyond the woods a few rods away was the
+home of the old lady.  It was early yet and Jean
+lingered, the pony nothing loath to follow her will.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They had gone perhaps fifty feet into the shadow of
+the wooded road when suddenly, out from behind a
+great tree with stocky, brushwood growth around it,
+slunk forth Scathlin, close to the pony, and laid hands
+upon his bridle.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I beg pardon, Miss, but Mr. Holt sent me on a
+message," lied Scathlin, shifting his eyes hastily from
+the clear ones that looked in horror upon him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean's heart was beating wildly, not reassured by
+his words.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"He said would you please give me the paper you
+had for him.  It would be safer for me to get it, as no
+one would suspect."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A great doubt seized Jean's soul.  Holt had not
+sent this bad old man.  Hold could never trust such a
+man as this.  But if he did trust him, she did not.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Did Mr. Holt send me a letter?"  Jean looked
+keenly into the old cunning face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Mr. Holt had to go away in a hurry and so he
+sent me," said Scathlin glibly.  "He didn't have no
+time to write letters.  He said you knowed me; that
+you'd seen me with him, an' you'd know 'twas all
+right."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Tell Mr. Holt, please," said Jean, making up her
+mind hurriedly, "that there is nothing, and no message
+I can give to anyone.  I wish to speak with him.  If
+that is not possible we will have to let the matter pass."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She drew the rein and signed to her horse to go on,
+but Scathlin jerked the birdie sharply:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Not much, you don't go on," he threatened, "not
+till I get that paper.  I was sent here to get it and I
+mean to have it.  You can't come any of your pretty
+little tricks on me.  I want that paper and I mean to
+have it.  Ef I can't get it one way I kin another!"  His
+voice and eyes were ominous, and Jean was so frightened
+that her throat trembled and she could scarcely
+control her lips to speak.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Of what paper are you speaking?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"That there paper you wrote about in the letter.
+You know well enough what I mean.  You've got it
+about you now.  I know you dassent go off and leave it
+to home, where that fine brother-in-law of yours could
+find it.  Come, are you going to fork over, or do you
+want me to search you for it?  I'll find it quick enough."
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p><a id="chap14"></a></p>
+
+<h2>
+CHAPTER XIV
+</h2>
+
+<p>
+Jean turned white with deadly sickening fear, but
+kept her head courageously up.  She whipped up her
+pony and tried to get away, but the strong hand held
+the bridle and the little beast could only rear, almost
+throwing her.  Moreover, a gleaming pistol shone into
+Jean's terrified eyes, and Scathlin in gloating voice
+spoke low:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, no, my pretty, you don't come any of your
+little tricks on me.  You've stole a paper I give you to
+give to your brother, an' I mean to have it without any
+further nonsense.  Hand it over!" and he grasped her
+roughly by the arm.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Help!  Mr. Holt!  <i>Jasper!</i>" she screamed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Something was stuffed into her mouth and the
+barrel of the pistol gleamed between her eyes.  She
+could feel the cold steel against her flesh.  The earth
+seemed reeling beneath her, and her senses were going
+from her.  Was there no hope of help from anywhere?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Now, my pretty, I'll just he'p myself to that
+paper."  Scathlin's voice was malevolent, his eyes
+gleaming.  Like the cold slimy length of a serpent
+coiling around her soul, the meaning of his words slid
+about her consciousness.  She felt she was sinking out
+of the world of knowledge into a blackness where she
+could not protect herself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then quickly, sharply, a voice brought her back to consciousness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Drop that pistol!  Let go of that lady!  Now, march!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was Holt's voice, low, merciless, commanding;
+and a revolver was in his hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Scathlin fell away like water, turning deadly white
+and cringing.  The day of his judgment had come
+swiftly, and there was no escape.  He knew that look in
+Holt's eye.  He had sinned away his last probation.
+Holt would never trust him again.  There was not even
+time to destroy the letter which he had wanted to keep
+and give to Harrington as evidence against the girl.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"March!" said Holt's voice again, and the revolver
+came uncomfortably near to Scathlin's temple.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Scathlin marched.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Go straight to the house and wait there till I come,"
+commanded Holt as Scathlin backed weakly away.  "If
+you attempt to escape I'll turn the bloodhounds loose
+after you."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Scathlin turned a shade paler.  He had had experience
+with one of those bloodhounds.  He had no desire
+to meet the whole pack.  He hastened his footsteps.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean sat with wild eyes watching, her hand upon her
+heart.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You didn't send him for the paper, did you?"
+she demanded eagerly.  "I knew you would never have
+sent him."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Send for the paper, what paper?" asked Holt in
+wonder.  "I never sent him for anything."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Then how did he know what was in my letter to you?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Letter?  What letter?  I never received a letter
+from you."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Then he must have opened it and read it.  Oh, <i>he
+will show it to my brother!</i>"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Holt's voice rang out clearly before her
+sentence was fairly finished:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Halt!  Scathlin!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Scathlin had almost reached the turning at the edge
+of the woods, but he paused instantly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Come back here."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Scathlin came, cringing and white with fear.  When
+he was within ten yards of the two Holt spoke again,
+and all the time the sinister weapon kept guard in his
+hand aimed straight at Scathlin.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Give me my letter."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"W-what l-let-tt-ter?" chattered Scathlin with ill
+concealed attempt to use his cunning.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"The letter you have in your pocket.  Take it out
+instantly and drop it on the ground or I shall fire," said
+Holt sternly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, put down that gun," whimpered Scathlin,
+fumbling nervously in his inside pocket, "you make me
+n-n-nervous!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Be quick!  Drop that letter!" said Holt, still
+holding the revolver.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Scathlin took out the letter and dropped it on the
+ground, but his bad little eyes gleamed green and
+yellow hate at the girl in one look of wrath as he turned
+and stumbled back again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Holt, still holding the revolver and watching the
+retreating man, advanced and picked up the letter.
+When Scathlin was out of sight he read it, then turned
+with softened eyes to the girl who had meantime
+secured the paper from its hiding place pinned within
+her blouse.  She held it out to him, her hand still
+trembling with the fright she had been through.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Holt took the paper, but gathered the little hand
+into his tenderly and, stooping, kissed it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"To think you have been through all this for me."  There
+was awe in his voice.  "To think you trusted me
+instead of your own people!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For an instant they looked into each other's eyes;
+then Holt's horse, trained to stand and await his
+master's will, whinnied softly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We must not stand here," said Holt, looking up
+sharply, "some one might come.  I will take you on to
+Mrs. Foster's, and then go back and see that Scathlin
+is where he can do no further harm.  How long will
+you wish to be there?  Can you stay an hour and then
+ride back?  I will be waiting just in the shadow of the
+woods and see you to the edge of town where you will
+be safe.  Please don't ride out of town alone again."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But I shall not be afraid to go back," protested
+Jean.  "You need not take all that trouble.  Now that
+you have the paper I shall not be afraid."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Trouble!" said Holt, looking at her with eyes that
+adored.  "You know it is no trouble.  But what is this
+paper that has made so much disturbance?"  He had
+mounted his horse and was riding by her side now.  He
+unfolded the paper, but it needed only a glance to show
+him what it was.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"How did you happen to have it?" he asked, looking
+at her startled.  "Have you the others?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No," she said, a cloud of trouble coming into her
+eyes.  "I had them, I suppose, but I did not know they
+were yours.  I had the wallet, with them in.  That man
+gave them to me on the train before the wreck.  You
+picked the wallet up once when it fell, don't you
+remember?  Didn't you know they were yours?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes," said Holt, "I knew.  At least I supposed I knew."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Why didn't you tell me?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I didn't want to mix you up in the trouble," he
+said, looking at her tenderly, "and besides, I knew they
+were safe in your possession for the present."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But they weren't.  I didn't know they were yours,
+and I gave them to my brother."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I knew you would, of course.  But I was pretty
+sure I could stop any harm he would do before he could
+do it.  The only thing I was troubled about was this
+paper.  I didn't think Scathlin was fool enough to leave
+all the papers in the wallet.  I was pretty sure he had
+kept this and one other himself and only sent the rest
+back to throw me off the track and make me think he
+had sent all of them.  He knew I saw him give you the
+wallet and he meant I should see.  He thought I would
+stop watching him and give my attention to you, but I
+knew Scathlin better than that.  I kept my eye on him.
+But how did you happen to have this one paper?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I'm not sure.  When I came back to my room,
+after giving my brother the wallet, I found this on my
+floor.  It may have fallen when I dumped the things
+out of my bag.  The wallet fell apart and all the papers
+went out on the table, but I thought I picked up every
+one.  Then when I came back to my room I found this
+on the floor just as I was about to turn out the light.
+Later I overheard a conversation in which this paper
+and another were described as missing.  The other was
+something to do with a mine&mdash;&mdash;"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes, I have it," said Holt.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You have it?  Oh, I am so glad!  Then they can't
+trouble your claim, can they?  I suppose that was
+what they meant, I'm not very much of a business
+person.  But how did you get it?  They said it was in the
+wallet."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"It was," said Holt, "till Scathlin took it out.  I
+think he intended taking this, also, and leaving with
+you only the other papers which were utterly valueless
+without these two; but he had to work quickly while I
+was at the other end of the car, and he blundered.  I
+got it out of Scathlin's shoe, just after the accident
+occurred, and before I left the car we were in.  We
+had a struggle in the dark, but I secured my paper
+before he flung me off and crawled out of the window.
+After that, I lost sight of him.  I was hunting for him
+in the water when I found you.  I didn't know who
+you were till I drew you up on the bank.  But I never
+dreamed you had this paper.  I thought, of course, it
+was still with Scathlin.  That is why I was away so
+long, hunting him.  I didn't know once but I'd lost
+him completely, but I finally got on his track.  I was
+sure he knew where this paper was and I didn't dare
+to lose him.  I brought him home to watch him; and
+I've kept him in sight all day to-day.  He thought I
+was away from home for two days, but I've been in
+hiding.  I had him watched when he went to town and
+I knew he came home.  If he had had this paper he
+would have gone straight to your brother.  A field
+glass and a whistle will do a good deal to keep track of
+a man.  When he stole out of the house toward the
+woods I knew something was happening and signalled
+my men.  They are waiting now.  They'll look after
+Scathlin till I get back."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He raised a tiny whistle to his lips and blew a long,
+silvery blast, followed by two more, and in a moment
+there came back two answers from slightly different
+directions.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were come now to the open road, and Holt
+drew his horse to one side.  Mrs. Foster's home was but
+a stone's throw away and she was sitting on the porch
+in her reclining chair.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I will be here when you are ready to go home,"
+said Holt, looking at her tenderly; then, touching his
+hat, he wheeled his horse and was out of sight in a
+twinkling.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The next hour was always a blur in the memory of
+Jean.  Somehow she drew her senses together and
+dismounted at her friend's door, going through the
+formalities of meeting, and adjusting herself to the
+occasion; but not for an instant did her subconsciousness
+cease to rehearse the events just passed.  Her whole
+body quivered again with the fear that swept over her
+at sight of Scathlin; she shrank once more from his
+touch as the full realization of her escape was made
+known to her; and the look and voice of Holt thrilled
+her as nothing had ever done in her life.  How could
+they say he was not good when he was like that?  She
+had seen the soul of him looking out of his wonderful
+eyes and she knew.  But how had it come about that
+others had not seen, also?  Oh, if they knew once; if
+they could just get a real glimpse of the true man, they
+would never again feel as they did about him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She recognized fully the separation there was between
+them and it brought a constriction of tears in her
+throat; but in her heart was a glad glow that he cared
+for her, and for the time it seemed enough to fill her
+with deep joy.  She was going to see him again in a
+few minutes, and she could thank him for saving her
+life again, this time perhaps from something worse
+than death.  She had had no words wherewith to tell
+him of the infinite relief his appearing had brought;
+everything had happened so quickly; but it seemed as
+if a lifetime would be too brief to voice her gratitude
+for her deliverance.  She shivered as she remembered
+the look on Scathlin's face when he took hold of her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Foster said: "Why, you're not cold, are you,
+dearie, this warm day?  I believe they are letting you do
+too much, with all their parties and things.  You look
+white.  You'd better come down and stay with me a
+week and get rested up."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Jean's laugh rang silverly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, no, I'm not cold, Mrs. Foster, I'm just glad
+over something.  It's very nice of you to ask me to
+visit you, and I would be delighted, but you know I'm
+going home next week, and I'm afraid Eleanor wouldn't
+want to spare me when the time is so short."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Going home next week!" exclaimed the old lady,
+in dismay.  "Why, I thought you were going to stay
+till Christmas."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"So I was, but father has to go to New York to a
+convention.  He's been made a delegate, and it's a
+splendid thing for him.  He hasn't had an outing in a
+long time.  He needs it; and we couldn't leave mother
+alone you know.  Mother is an invalid.  So of course
+I'm going home a little sooner.  But I've had a
+beautiful time here, and maybe I can come again
+sometime."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+All the time that Jean was talking her real self
+was thinking how wonderful it had been that it was
+Holt who saved her again and not just some passing
+stranger.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The hour was over at last and Jean joyously
+mounted her pony and bade her friend good-bye; but
+when she rode into the shadow of the woods and saw
+Holt on his shining black horse waiting quietly beside
+the road for her, a great shyness overcame her, and she
+knew she would never be able to put into words the
+great thoughts of her heart, and that perhaps it was
+as well; for he would understand and words were not
+necessary for them.  There could not be much said
+without saying too much.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After all they said very little.  The way was short
+till they came to the edge of town though they walked
+their horses as slowly as possible; but there were looks
+and glances of the soul, trustful, grateful, worshipful;
+and each felt the blessedness of these few minutes
+alone together.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Holt told her briefly of Scathlin.  He was safe?
+She need fear him no more.  He would not be abroad
+to trouble her during the rest of her stay.  His eyes
+more than his words informed her how he regretted
+the brevity of that stay.  His eyes told her also that
+Scathlin's judgment would be tempered with mercy
+and righteousness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was one question she wished to ask him.
+She hesitated long but finally risked it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You will enter the tournament?" she asked, lifting
+her eyes full of pleading that his answer should be
+yes.  "You know about it, of course?  You know they
+are giving me a tournament before I go home?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He bowed gravely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes, I know.  You will like it.  It is one of the
+most interesting affairs they have in town.  I am glad
+you will see it."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She saw he was evading her question.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You will enter?" she asked again anxiously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He searched her face keenly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You want me to?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I do, very much," she said, and the rich color in
+her cheeks told him how much she wanted it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Your friends will not like it," he said.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But the tournament is given for me, and I shall
+like it," she said with spirit.  "I am sure you can
+ride."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I can ride a little," he said indifferently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Then you will enter?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"If you really wish it."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I certainly wish it," she said gladly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then suddenly out from the woods rode two men;
+fine, tall, sturdy fellows they were, perhaps ten or
+more years older than Holt, but with strong faces,
+keen eyes, and muscles that looked like iron.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They saluted Holt as if he were their military
+officer, and one rode close to him and said a few words
+in a low tone.  Holt nodded gravely, his fine, boyish
+face taking on maturer lines as he gave attention to
+the message, and uttered his brief, ready directions,
+utterly unintelligible to the girl who looked on in
+bewilderment at this new phase of the young man's
+character.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The second rider had halted at a respectful distance,
+without a glance in her direction, and waited as
+a trained servitor should do.  Devotion to Holt and
+absolute obedience were in the attitude of both.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The interview occupied scarcely a minute; then the
+two men wheeled, saluted, and rode away once more
+into the woods.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"A little trouble at the mine," Holt explained, in
+answer to her questioning glance.  "It'll be all right
+now, since I have this paper again.  We haven't dared
+to exercise our water privileges as we should and have
+been moving under difficulties, but now that I have
+the grant there will be no further trouble.  I'll take care
+it's put where no one can steal it again."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, I'm so glad," breathed Jean, "but who are
+they?" pointing after the two riders who were just
+disappearing behind the trees.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"My men," said Holt.  "I have fifty-four of them,
+fine fellows every one."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Your men?" questioned Jean in surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"They work for me&mdash;in the mine and around the
+place.  I've picked them up here and there.  That big
+fellow that waited&mdash;I took him down from a tree where
+they'd hung him up for stealing a horse.  He's the
+one I told you of&mdash;I thought he was dead, but there he
+is!  He wouldn't take a pin now that belonged to
+anyone else.  He's the straightest fellow on the place.
+The other one was almost gone with fever when I met
+up with him.  We've nursed each other twice apiece
+since then.  There are others I'd like you to know if
+things weren't as they are.  You'd see the good in
+them, I'm sure.  You seem to understand."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean's eyes were alight as she watched him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"They know you!" she exclaimed.  "They've seen
+the real <i>you</i>, and they trust you!  I saw it in their eyes."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Maybe," he said, returning her look.  "They'd
+fight for me any time I asked it; and they'd die for me
+if it came to that."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man
+lay down his life for his friends."  The words seemed
+to come of themselves from the girl's lips as she watched
+the man in wonder and admiration.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You took a mighty slim chance on yours for me
+about an hour ago."  Holt's eyes spoke volumes.  "Why
+didn't you give him the paper?  It was by far the safest
+thing for you to do.  Didn't you know that?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes," said the girl, her soft lips setting in a firm
+line and her chin taking the tilt that gave her sweet face
+its strength and fineness.  "But the paper was yours,
+and I was sure it was valuable.  I didn't trust him."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"And you trust me yet, in spite of all the things I
+know you must have heard about me?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I trust you <i>forever</i>!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her eyes were clear and steady, and her voice was
+sweet with a ring of triumph in it as she made the
+declaration.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a moment they looked at one another with a
+great blinding light of deep gladness shining from their
+eyes; then the man bowed his head gravely and, reaching
+over, took her hand in a strong, quick clasp.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You shall never have cause to lose that trust," he
+murmured solemnly, and turning, rode back into the
+woods and left her to go on alone through the town.
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p><a id="chap15"></a></p>
+
+<h2>
+CHAPTER XV
+</h2>
+
+<p>
+When Jean reached the Harrington home she
+found a group of girls on the piazza, waiting for her,
+who chattered and laughed and took absolute possession
+of her.  They were planning an all-day trip on
+horseback with lunches and all sorts of interesting
+things by the way, and Jean must help them.  Then
+they gave her no chance to speak, but told her all in
+chorus, until she could scarcely make out what it was
+about.  She smiled and agreed, but half the time she
+did not know what they were saying, for something
+still and beautiful within her soul was claiming her
+attention, something that seemed too high and holy to
+be affected by any of these foolish little things
+wherewith the others wanted to while away the time&mdash;the
+brief, dear time left her to be in <i>his</i> neighborhood!
+Yet she smiled and agreed, and they all thought her
+charming, and went on making their plans.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They made out their list of men who were to be
+invited.  She heard the names read, and took no account
+of whom they had selected for her escort.  What did
+it matter?  <i>His</i> name was not among them!  She heard
+their talk about their horses.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Robin Hood has gone lame," declared one maiden
+pettishly, "isn't that a shame?  Father says it's my
+fault, but I know better.  He's going to get me a new
+horse pretty soon when he can find one to suit him.
+I know just the one I want, coal-black and shines like
+satin.  He can go like the wind and take a river as if
+he had wings.  I'm dead in love with him.  I'm just
+dying to ride him, but his owner won't sell him.  Isn't
+that mean?  He belongs to Jasper Holt.  Father has
+offered him a fabulous price, but he won't sell him at
+any price, he says.  I think he's perfectly horrid.  Of
+course he only does it just to be disagreeable because
+he thinks I want him.  That man makes me tired!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a soft color on Jean's cheeks and she
+looked up as if a challenge to defend her friend had
+been flung to her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Perhaps he's fond of the horse," she said gently,
+as she glanced around on all those scornful young faces.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"He, fond of anything!  Oh my dear!  You don't
+know him!" declared one of the girls.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"He never was fond of anything in his life,"
+laughed another.  "Why, he's the cruellest thing!  You
+don't know, Jean."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Men grow very fond of horses," said Jean, holding
+her head high and the roses in her cheeks deepening,
+"and their horses grow fond of them.  A horse
+loves one who is kind to him."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She was remembering the proud arch of Jasper
+Holt's black as he rode beside her in the woods but a
+short half hour before.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her words were met by a shout of merriment, and
+a boisterous young voice with a sneer in it pierced above
+the laughter:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Kind to them!  Jasper Holt was never kind to
+anything in his life!  My dear, you simply don't know
+him!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But I <i>do</i> know him!" said Jean now, rising from
+her rocker and standing slim and straight against the
+vine-covered pillar of the porch.  "I know him better
+than you all, and I know he is kind.  He was kind and
+splendid to me!  No man could have done more!  I
+am sorry you feel that way about him.  It isn't right!
+He is my friend!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had spoken!  She had always meant to, ever
+since she came; but there had been little opportunity
+without being deliberately disagreeable and dragging
+the subject in.  Perhaps Eleanor had warned her callers
+not to mention Jasper Holt, for they usually seemed to
+avoid speaking of him; but she had always felt the time
+would come when she could speak and let them all know
+what she thought about him, and now it had come and
+she had spoken.  Her heart beat wildly, her cheeks were
+rosy red, and her eyes shining starrily, but she stood
+unabashed and faced them all.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A sudden silence fell upon the little group and they
+exchanged furtive glances of understanding as if a
+mutual agreement sealed their lips to things that they
+might say if she were not with them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, well, of course you're grateful," said one girl
+in a conciliatory tone.  "One couldn't help being
+grateful under such circumstances; but he would have been a
+brute not to have pulled you out of the water and
+showed you the way to Hawk Valley."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Perhaps he wants his black to ride in the tournament,"
+said another girl mischievously, hoping to lift
+the cloud that had fallen over them all.  "He has
+audacity enough for anything, though he has never
+seemed to care for anything going on in the town.  Of
+course he has never been encouraged to have."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"He wouldn't dare!" said another with flashing eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Why wouldn't he dare?" asked Jean, turning
+steady eyes to the haughty young speaker.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Because it wouldn't be tolerated," declared the
+girl still haughtily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I have seen him dare greater things than that,"
+said Jean with a far-away look in her eyes and
+something like a smile on her lips.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girls looked at her a minute in silence and
+wonder, interchanged quick glances that said: "She
+does not know," and changed the subject.  They liked
+Jean too well, and she was too popular among the
+men for them to risk angering her, so they chattered on
+about what they would have in the lunch boxes, and who
+should bring what; but Jean, with that far-away look in
+her eyes and that half smile on her lips, as if she knew
+things that were hidden from others, said no more.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They chattered and giggled and chorused to the
+end of their subject and their time at last, and took
+themselves away; but it was the dinner hour and
+Harrington was coming up the walk with two men who
+were to be their guests for dinner.  There was just
+time for Jean to change her riding habit for a dinner
+dress and hurry down again, no chance for the rest and
+the quiet thoughts that cried out to have their way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The evening was filled with callers, as every
+evening had been since she came that was not actually
+taken up by some entertainment or invitation.  It
+seemed a wearisome time to Jean, who longed for her
+quiet room and her own thoughts.  She watched the
+men who were talking to her, trying to please her;
+saw that they were good to look upon, cultured,
+and refined: saw that any one of them would be a
+good friend to her if she would let him; and yet, when
+she considered it, there was not one who came up to the
+standard of the man who had saved her life.  She
+tried to look at the matter from their standpoint and
+understand why it was that she could not like any of
+them as she liked him; why they all seemed rather
+tedious in their intercourse and tiresome in their
+coming; and the great thought came down upon her that
+it was because she had first known him, and he was so
+much larger and finer a man in every way than they.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had no more thought than at the beginning
+that she would ever see more of Holt.  The future
+showed no bright hope that they might come together.
+He had said it would not do, and she trusted him.
+Whatever he willed concerning their friendship she
+bowed to, for she trusted him utterly; but there was
+something vivid and both strong and gentle in him
+that made all others vapid beside him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She roused herself to be pleasant and entertaining,
+but her heart was not in it.  Her sister, noticing as the
+evening went on that she looked white and tired, finally
+managed to send their guests away.  And indeed, there
+had been moments when all the gaiety and laughter
+seemed far away to her, and she had only seen the evil
+face of Scathlin and heard his voice demanding the
+paper and threatening to find it for himself.  Once
+she had shuddered and shivered visibly as if she were
+chilly, and the Captain hastened to pick up a gauze
+scarf and throw it around her shoulders, while Freeman
+Thorne pulled down the window.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But when they were all gone Eleanor was not at
+peace about her sister and in pretty negligee she came
+in presently to perch upon the bed and question her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Is anything troubling you, Jean?" she asked
+anxiously.  "You seemed so white and tired to-night?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Nothing at all, dearest," said Jean brightly.
+"What a big responsibility I am to you, you precious
+big sister!  You mustn't worry about me, I have had
+a lovely visit.  But I get a little tired of talking to so
+many people sometimes, and having to say the same
+things over to all those men."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You queer child!" said her sister, looking at
+her curiously.  "Almost any girl would be proud, to
+have so many admirers and you take them as a matter
+of course and don't seem to care a bit for any of them."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She studied the fair face of the girl keenly for any
+trace of self-consciousness, but Jean's smile was as
+placid as ever.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"They are all nice, Eleanor," said the girl wearily,
+"but they do grow a little tiresome; all day long some
+of them, and every day.  I wouldn't mind if you and
+I had a day or two now and then just all to ourselves."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, you certainly are hopeless!" said her sister.
+"Tell me, child, is there someone at home to whom
+you have given your heart?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, no!" said Jean quickly, laughing at the
+thought.  "Who would there be?  You know all the
+boys, and there isn't one I could care for."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, I didn't know but that new bank cashier&mdash;"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Tom Lloyd?  Why he's engaged to Bella Harkness.
+Did no one tell you?  Besides, he's years older
+than I am."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, there's that oldest Shafton boy.  Mother
+wrote he had come home from college and started in
+business.  They are a good family, Jean."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Jimmy Shafton?  Oh, Eleanor!  You ought to
+see him!  He's the biggest snob!  But there!  I suppose
+he's nice enough, but I don't like him, that's all.
+He has a weak chin, and somehow I don't trust him.
+Now, Eleanor, you funny little match-maker, just give
+me up as a hopeless case.  You can't marry me off yet
+awhile and you'll have to make up your mind to it.
+I'm going home where I belong to take care of my
+mother and teach my Sunday School class; but I've
+had a glorious time while I was here and I shall enjoy
+thinking it over a lot when I get home."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Eleanor was baffled, but persistent.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Don't you like the Captain?" she asked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes, a lot.  He's going to take me a ride through
+the canyon to-morrow.  Will you go along?  He
+promised to ask you."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, probably he didn't want me," said Eleanor
+significantly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, <i>I</i> do," said Jean decidedly.  "I told him I
+wouldn't go without you."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Why, yes, I suppose I could take Betty on her pony."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Do," said Jean, "I love to ride with Betty, and
+then you can talk to the Captain when I get tired."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You funny little girl!  Well, don't you like
+Freeman Thorne?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Of course," said Jean.  "He's going to bring
+me some Indian arrow-heads to give to my boys at
+home."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Eleanor sat back and surveyed her inscrutable little
+sister hopelessly.  There was one more question she
+wanted to ask, but somehow she didn't dare, because
+she hated to see that look of hurt dignity come into
+Jean's eyes whenever she spoke of Jasper Holt; but
+there lingered in her heart just a little uneasiness about
+the handsome outlaw whose part the girl had so loyally
+taken on her arrival, and about whom her lips had
+remained so significantly sealed ever since.  Yet,
+despite her uneasiness, she went to her room with the
+question unasked, and Jean locked her door and turned
+out her light with a sigh of relief that at last she was
+alone.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Down on her knees beside the open window she
+knelt, her arms on the window seat, her face raised to
+the eternal stars.  There was a kind of triumph in her
+face, for though she knew that great sadness was coming
+rapidly on its way, yet over all the excitement of
+the day, the terror of peril and escape, there was a
+great exultation.  For just this one night at least she
+must exult in the thought of her lover and his second
+saving of her life; she must rejoice in his love and the
+fact that she could trust him.  Memory brought back
+now in a flood of joy every glance of his true eyes,
+every word and gesture, every movement and attitude
+of the perfect body.  He seemed so much stronger
+and finer and nobler in every way than all those others.
+What a pity that he must rest under their disapproval.
+How dreadful that they could not know him as he
+really was&mdash;that she must presently go on her lonely
+way home, and see no more of him, know no more of
+him&mdash;perhaps never on this earth again.  He had it in
+him to be true to this terrible separation because he
+thought it ought to be, and she was proud of him for
+it, but her heart already ached in anticipation of the
+sorrow that was in store for her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With a sob she put her head down on the window
+sill and prayed softly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Dear God, take care of him, and help people to
+know him.  Help him to be true always and let others
+find it out and be ashamed of the way they have treated
+him.  Bless him, and keep him&mdash;my dear friend!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then with one lingering look away to where the
+stars shone quietly above his dwelling as above hers,
+she went to her sleep.
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p><a id="chap16"></a></p>
+
+<h2>
+CHAPTER XVI
+</h2>
+
+<p>
+The tournament was set for the day before Jean
+started home.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was to be a great event, the biggest thing the
+town of Hawk Valley could devise in the way of
+entertainment for its most honored guests.  It was an
+all-day affair, with contests and games of every kind,
+races and matches and a big procession with everyone
+wearing the gayest and most fantastic garments the
+resources of the town afforded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The climax of the program was to be late in the
+afternoon when the great feats of riding were
+performed and the prizes and wreaths given out to the
+victors.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The highest honor had been allotted to Jean, for
+she had been selected to give out the prizes and crown
+the victor of the final riding contest.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It had been the custom heretofore in other similar
+contests that a lady so honored should ride once around
+the running track in company with the victor and
+share with him the triumph of the occasion.  Great
+was the eagerness of all the young men to win this
+privilege on this occasion, for Jean's delicate beauty
+and sweet, gentle ways had made her most popular,
+and everyone was striving for the privilege of riding
+with her and being crowned by her fair hand.  All in
+a friendly way there had been much merriment about
+it, much betting and chaffing, much practising of
+horsemanship, much boasting, and many a gallant gentleman
+had besought her to wear his flowers on the gala
+day that he might stand the better chance of winning.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Jean had smiled upon them all and would
+promise none.  She took it all as a beautiful piece of
+pleasantry in her honor, though sometimes she was
+secretly distressed at the earnestness with which many
+of her admirers pressed their suit.  They were splendid
+fellows, all of them, and it was hard to be refusing
+and disappointing them all the time.  Hard, too, it
+was, to disappoint her sister Eleanor continually, who
+was an enthusiastic match-maker and felt real chagrin
+that her beloved sister should go back home from all
+that adulation still apparently heart-free, when she had
+been given so many perfectly good chances to fall in
+love.  Eleanor would have liked nothing better than
+to have Jean marry and settle out near herself.  Then
+the father and mother would eventually come, of course,
+and the family would be reunited.  It was most
+aggravating to her that Jean remained so unimpressionable.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The day before the tournament great boxes of
+flowers began to arrive for Jean, embarrassing her
+with their riches, profusion and costliness.  Orchids
+and lilies, gardenias and roses of rare varieties,
+carnations, jessamine, even delicate wild flowers and
+wonderful poppies.  Each admirer had spent much thought
+and care upon his offering, hoping to have it chosen
+for wearing upon the great occasion; and each had
+tried to have his flowers unusual and noticeable enough
+to draw her choice away from all others.  With each
+great box came card or note or sometimes letter bearing
+the name and earnest plea of the giver, three even
+offering themselves with their flowers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean stood among her blossoms, her cheeks vying
+with the roses, her eyes as starry as the lilies, distressed
+and touched, but not quite pleased.  It was terrible to
+her that she seemed to have wrought such havoc in the
+hearts of men.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Eleanor and the children hovered excitedly around,
+far more pleased than Jean over the honors that were
+heaped upon her.  Eleanor talked in a high, sweet
+soprano about the merits of the different flowers, and
+the reasons why each should be worn in preference to
+the others.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"There were the Captain's orchids&mdash;so expensive,
+poor fellow&mdash;and he was so handsome!"  Eleanor
+always ended with the Captain where she had begun.
+It was plain that Eleanor favored the Captain most
+mightily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean stood and touched the flowers, tenderly,
+compassionately, as though in some way they were human
+things that had been cheated into coming without a
+cause; as she might have looked at and touched
+something very beautiful that did not belong to her.
+It seemed a big responsibility to have all these lovely
+blossoms with all they represented, and as she filled
+each vase and jar and bowl to overflowing till almost
+every available receptacle in the house was filled, her
+eyes grew more and more troubled and thoughtful.
+Somehow it seemed wrong for her to have all these
+perishing beauties, knowing that the lasting treasure
+they were here to plead for their donors was not hers
+to give.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Which flowers are you going to wear, Jean?"
+asked Eleanor vexedly that night, as they went
+upstairs together after tucking the blossoms all away
+under damp papers.  "You know you'll have to decide
+in the morning, and there really aren't any more to
+come in, unless Mr. Frazer sends some.  Everybody,
+literally every man in the region that could have a
+shadow of right to do so, has sent you some.  It shows
+how popular you are!  I don't believe any girl that
+ever came here before was so well treated, and so
+universally admired.  It's wonderful, Jean.  You little,
+quiet, sweet child, but you've got them all under your
+small thumb!  I never would have suspected it of
+you."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean smiled wearily.  She was tired and her sister's
+idea of triumph was not hers.  It savored too much of
+counting the scalps of those she had slain.  She did
+not want to have men at her feet to be turned away.
+She looked at life more seriously than just a game
+where she was to win all no matter who lost.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She turned away with a gentle good-night, and
+Eleanor's eyes followed her dissatisfiedly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You know, you might wear one of each and satisfy
+them all," she suggested.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean smiled and shuddered inwardly.  The scalps
+again!  A display of them!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Never!" she murmured.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, what are you going to do?"  Her sister
+was all out of patience with her dallying.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I'll sleep over it," she said brightly.  "Aren't
+you tired, dear?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And Eleanor had to let it go at that.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Young Frazer sent his flowers in the morning:
+wonderful violets, blue as the sky over Hawk Valley;
+dewy and sweet, and raised with careful tending; and
+there were more roses from several men at a distance
+who had not been reckoned upon.  But Eleanor was not
+told of the roses that the servant found upon the doorstep
+when he went to sweep the piazza, early in the morning;
+the roses with the dew upon them and the golden
+ruby glow of sunset in their hearts.  They were not
+wrapped, or in a box, or accompanied by a card; nor was
+there even any name upon them.  They simply lay upon
+the doorstep and made their mute appeal of fragrance;
+and the man servant, who, like all the other men in
+Hawk Valley, servant though he was, had surrendered
+to the gentle, beautiful girl, understood and carried
+them straight up to her door without telling anyone.
+He knew from whom they came, and he knew, by the
+starry look in her eyes when the others like them had
+come, that she would know.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She gathered them into her willing arms and
+thanked him.  Her problem was solved, and she could
+go down to breakfast with a light heart.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Have you decided which flowers to wear, Jean?"
+her sister asked sharply the minute she came into the
+room.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes," said the girl with a smile, "but it's a secret.
+I'm not going to tell.  You will see when I wear them."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Eleanor looked anxiously at the bright face with
+the firm lips, and the decided set of the pretty head,
+and sighed.  She knew she would have to wait.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean was to go on her pony to the scene of the
+day's festivities, that she might be ready for the
+triumphal ride at the end; and the Captain had begged
+the privilege of accompanying her, being confident that
+he should both see his costly orchids adorning her,
+and win the right to ride home by her side, triumphant.
+It seemed to him that in that case it would be but a
+short way to the other heights he hoped to attain.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He arrived at the house on the minute appointed,
+but Jean, usually punctual, kept him waiting.  The
+Harringtons were all packed comfortably in their
+motor-car.  They kept calling impatiently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"We'll be late, Jean, and James has to see about
+the signals and put up some more ribbons.  You know
+he's marshal of the day."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Go on," called Jean sweetly from her window,
+"I'm just fastening on my flowers.  I'll be there in a
+minute.  Don't wait, we'll catch you."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They heard her footsteps flying down the stairs
+and Harrington started the car.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Wait, James, I must see what flowers she chose."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Nonsense!" said her husband, sending the car
+shooting forward at a pace.  "You can wait till she
+gets there.  What difference does it make anyway?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Why, if she doesn't take the right ones I can
+send her back," said Eleanor, twisting her neck to see
+her sister, who was just mounting her pony.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"The right ones?  You don't know which ones
+you want her to wear yourself; you've said so a dozen
+times this morning," laughed her husband, jeeringly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, I know, but there are some quite impossible
+ones, you know, and Jean is so queer and unconventional.
+It would be just like her to wear John Beard's
+poppies because she felt sorry for him on account of
+his lameness.  She always was that way.  Mamma let
+her choose a canary when she was little, and she chose
+a poor, little faded thing that wouldn't sing a note,
+because she said it wasn't pretty like the others and
+would enjoy a nice cage."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, I guess you'll have to let her choose her
+own husband, anyway.  She's got to live with him,
+and she's got a big will of her own."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I know," said Eleanor, sighing.  "I shall be
+relieved when she gets safely married.  Mamma is so
+shut in that she doesn't realize how unworldly Jean
+is.  But, James, I do wish you'd slow up a little.  I
+must see those flowers.  Betty, dear, can you tell what
+they are Aunt Jean is wearing?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The little girl craned her neck.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I think they're just roses, mamma," said Betty
+indifferently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Roses?  Are you sure, child?  Aren't they orchids?
+The poor Captain!  But there were multitudes
+of roses.  I wonder whose they are."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They had turned into the main street, now.  Banners
+were flying and a band playing martial music.
+The question of the flowers must perforce become a
+side issue, for there were numberless little things to be
+decided, and Mrs. Harrington was consulted many
+times before she finally mounted the grand stand and
+took her seat among the prominent people of the place,
+looking around with satisfaction to see Jean ascending
+the steps followed by the handsome captain, whose
+dejected face still showed his disappointment about
+the orchids.  For the moment she was too much taken
+up with the captain to look closely at the wonderful
+roses that Jean wore; then suddenly she turned her
+attention to them.  Where had she seen roses like
+those?  Who could have sent them?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then memory leaped on duty.  Roses yellow as
+gold and with a heart of ruby!  Holt's Golden Sunset!
+She could hear her husband's sharp voice repeating the
+hateful name.  Could it be possible that he had had
+the audacity to send Jean roses on this day, when all
+eyes would be turned to the girl?  And Jean, knowing
+how they felt about him, had dared to wear them!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her cheeks grew red and her eyes flashed.  She
+looked daggers at the girl, and then, realizing that
+the captain could see her, tried to control her face;
+and even now Jean was moving away to the seat on
+the right, the seat of honor for the lady who was to
+present the prizes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Jean, wait!  I must speak to you," she called.
+Jean, two chairs away, leaned over, smiling.  Perhaps
+she knew what was coming, but her lips had that firm
+little twist as she said: "What is it?" that indicated
+courage to stick to a decision.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Eleanor Harrington leaned over the two chairs,
+speaking low and vehemently:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Jean, take those flowers off and give them to me
+at once!  I'll send the man back for the orchids.  People
+will just think you have forgotten your flowers.  Quick,
+give them to me."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean drew back with pretty dignity, and laid her
+hand protectingly over the flowers at her waist:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I'm sorry, Eleanor," she said gently and decidedly.
+"I can't do what you ask.  These are the flowers I
+intend to wear.  Captain Wetherill understands me
+perfectly.  I told him beforehand not to send me flowers."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And she turned away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But, Jean," cried her sister frantically, "you
+simply must not wear those roses!  Send the man back
+for any others, but don't wear those.  You don't
+understand!  Everybody will know those are Jasper Holt's
+roses.  People will think it very strange.  Why, he
+isn't even here.  It isn't respectable for you to have
+anything to do with him."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean looked her sister straight in the eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I understand perfectly, Eleanor," she said softly,
+for a group of people were coming in and taking
+possession of the seats around them.  "I cannot and
+will not wear any of those other flowers."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Then take them off entirely and don't wear any,"
+said Eleanor, the vexed tears coming into her eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I'm sorry, Eleanor, but I must wear them," said
+Jean, and went quietly, almost sadly to her seat.  She
+hated to hurt her sister, and to seem to do violence to
+her wishes, but the wearing of these flowers had
+become a thing of moment to her, a sacred duty and
+privilege.  She knew that to Holt, if he should see
+her, it would be a symbol of her trust in him.  If he
+did not come to the tournament at least she would
+have the satisfaction of knowing in her own heart that
+she had been loyal to him, in the only way vouchsafed
+her, that of wearing his flowers before them all.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Eleanor settled back, defeated, in her chair, two
+red spots glowing on her cheeks, and angry flashes in
+her eyes.  She was mortified beyond expression.  That
+her young sister, who had the adulation of the whole
+county poured at her feet, should choose, before the
+assembled multitude, to wear the favor of a man whom
+nobody recognized or favored filled her socially-aspiring
+soul with rage.  What would James say when he
+found her sister had been wearing his enemy's flowers?
+Well, it was all James' fault anyway, for if he had
+kept the car waiting a minute she would have discovered
+Jean's folly in time to stop it.  If she had seen those
+yellow roses glowing on her sister's gown before she
+mounted her pony they would never have come to
+the tournament, no, not if she had to detain Jean
+forcibly at home for the day and tell people she was
+taken suddenly ill!  This came of bringing the girl
+up in a purely domestic and religious atmosphere and
+not teaching her a little worldly wisdom.  Well, she
+would tell James it was his fault; that would be some
+satisfaction.  Yes, and she would tell Jean just what
+she thought of her headstrong folly, too, when she got
+her home.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The waves of angry color had not yet ceased to
+flow over Eleanor's handsome face when the Thornes
+bustled in and took the next seats.  Mrs. Thorne was
+a large, imposing person and had much to say of her
+son's admiration for Jean.  She purred eagerly about
+the girl's beauty:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"So simple and sweet in that white dress with
+those beautiful yellow roses!  Freeman wouldn't tell
+me what flowers the sent her.  I wonder if they can
+be his.  I never saw any like them around here, did
+you?  The boy is completely gone about her.  I
+suspect he spent a fabulous sum on flowers.  He sent to
+Kansas City for them."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was then that Eleanor began to take heart of
+hope.  If Mrs. Thorne didn't know whose roses Jean
+wore perhaps the other women wouldn't.  Women
+didn't visit Jasper Holt's home, and men didn't notice
+those things much.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She settled back relieved, and allowed herself to
+think how well Jean was looking and how devoted the
+Captain seemed in spite of his floral setback.  Perhaps,
+after all, he would only be the more keen that Jean
+was not in a hurry to land him.  Was she, after all, a
+little deeper than they thought and did she plan her
+campaign with a view to making her admirers all the
+more eager?  Eleanor Harrington never had been able
+to comprehend a nature higher than her own.
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p><a id="chap17"></a></p>
+
+<h2>
+CHAPTER XVII
+</h2>
+
+<p>
+Into the midst of Eleanor's troubled thoughts came
+the herald, a boy from a neighboring ranch, fantastically
+attired, who rode on a white pony with fluttering
+blue ribbons for reins, and blew three sharp blasts on
+a silver bugle, the signal for the opening of the sports.
+Eleanor Harrington whispered a few words to Betty,
+and helped her to slip quietly out of the seat into the
+aisle, then settled back relieved.  She had sent a
+message to Jean not for anything in the world to tell any
+one whose flowers she wore, and Jean looked up and
+smiled brightly across the heads of the people between
+them, nodding her consent.  Betty came back to her
+seat, pleased to have been the centre of all eyes for a
+moment, and her mother patted her hand and reflected
+that, after all, it was wise in Jean not to wear any of
+her special admirers' flowers, for then they could
+none of them be angry with her; and if it should come
+out that she wore Holt's roses a little judicious hint
+of "gratitude" and "a sense of duty toward one who
+had saved her life" would only add charm to the lovely
+character of the girl.  As Holt was not present what
+harm could come of it?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The day's sports went forward briskly.  Each
+feature of the program had been put into separate
+and capable hands, and each vied with the other to
+make his or her stunt the best of all.  There were
+children's games, marches and dances.  There were
+folk dances, speeches, contests, and races of all sorts,
+each highly entertaining in its way; and there was the
+great picnic dinner when the entire company adjourned
+to the edge of the woods where tables had been prepared
+and where the good things of the town had been
+set forth to tempt the appetite.  Everybody was hungry
+and everybody laughed and talked gaily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Eleanor had had a vague hope that she might induce
+Jean to send home at noon for some other flowers
+on the plea that the ones she wore were faded, but
+Jean was surrounded by a company of gay young
+people and there really was no opportunity to speak
+to her.  Harrington, too, who might have taken the
+matter in hand and convinced Jean of the error of her
+ways, had been summoned to the grounds to perfect
+some arrangement for the afternoon, so there was
+nothing to be done.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When the bugle blew for the afternoon program
+to begin Harrington was beside his wife, his work
+done, ready to enjoy the best part of things without
+any more responsibility.  But Eleanor, knowing well
+his moods, thought it unwise to tell him about the
+flowers for the present.  It was too late now to change,
+and James would simply be furious; it was best to
+save that stroke about its being his fault until another
+time when she needed to convince him of something
+else.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The children had finished their entertainment in the
+morning, and the remainder of the program was to be
+by the men.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When the first set of riders came out in line there
+was one among their number whom the crowd did not
+at first recognize; a man with bright, curly hair and
+fine bearing, dressed in white flannels and riding a jet
+black, long-limbed horse.  Everywhere among the seats
+could be heard the murmur: "Who is he?" but no
+one answered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Harrington raised his field glass and looked; then
+dropped his hand with an exclamation of dismay.
+Eleanor, watching her husband's face, reached for the
+glass, looked a moment, then she too dropped the glass
+in her lap and gave her attention to controlling her
+countenance.  No one must suspect what a bitter drop
+in the day's cup of pleasure this was to them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Harrington sat, grimly reflecting that he might have
+prevented this possibility if he had framed the entrance
+qualifications aright; but Holt had been away
+indefinitely when the tournament was planned and he had
+not thought of him.  Now it was too late to do a thing;
+and there were reasons that made it unwise for him
+to show displeasure or unfriendliness to Holt, lest
+suspicion of a worse character fall upon himself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For the remainder of the afternoon life to Eleanor
+Harrington became a matter of self-control.  Now and
+then she managed to glance furtively at her husband
+and wonder why he hadn't flown into a rage; but she
+was wise enough to say nothing, knowing that as he
+did not there must be a reason.  Nevertheless she
+mentally resolved to give her young sister such a piece of
+her mind on their return home as would not easily be
+forgotten; and for the first time since the date of Jean's
+early departure had been set, she was reconciled to it.
+What made matters so very much worse was that
+Jasper Holt looked distractingly handsome in those
+unaccustomed white flannels, wearing them as though
+he had grown up in them, and sitting his mount like a
+young god.  There wasn't a man of the whole line who
+seemed so thoroughly a part of his horse as Holt, and
+every line of his head and body, every controlled, easy
+movement that he made was beautiful.  Of course
+Jean was taken with his looks.  Girls were such fools;
+that is, girls who had no worldly wisdom.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Up on the grandstand a group of girls looked and
+exclaimed and whispered eagerly together: "Do you
+suppose Jean knew all the time he was going to enter?
+Do you suppose maybe she's in love with him?
+<i>Really?</i>  Wouldn't that be exciting?  But of course it couldn't
+ever amount to anything but a little romance!  And she
+looks so innocent!  I don't believe she knew, after
+all."  And so they speculated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean had known him the first moment he appeared
+upon the scene and her heart stood still, as if this were
+the moment for which she had waited all her life.
+He was here, and how splendid he looked!  The rough
+flannel shirt and corduroys in which she was accustomed
+to see him were becoming, but he fairly took her
+breath away in his new costume.  There wasn't a man
+among them, no matter what he wore, who could match
+him for looks.  Her heart swelled with joy beneath
+his roses.  This was her little moment to rejoice.
+To-morrow she was going away, and she might not see
+him any more, but to-day it was right that she should
+have this beautiful sight of him to carry away with
+her.  So she watched, her eyes shining and her cheeks
+glowing warmly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was no question at any time but that he was
+the rider of them all.  His horse skimmed the hurdles
+as though they had been mere imaginary lines, and
+flew over the highest bar like a swallow in the air.
+He sat the black creature with ease and grace, and
+from the start all eyes were following his every move.
+The crowd forgot for the time its prejudice and
+animosity, and sat in absorbed admiration of his skill
+and courage.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They all knew him as a daring rider, for often
+women held their breath to see him go tearing through
+the street on some wild beast of a horse whose mad
+flight seemed uncanny; but the incomparable riding he
+did now was beyond all he had ever done for them
+before.  They watched and glowed and applauded,
+and the heart of the girl he loved swelled with pride
+so that the tears of joy came into her eyes and blinded
+her from seeing him.  She was glad that everyone
+was watching him, and no one would be looking at
+her.  She did not know that her sister had the field
+glass focussed straight upon her, and was studying her
+closely.  Alas, for the tears that were so hastily brushed
+away.  Eleanor looked and her heart sank in dismay,
+poor, troubled lady.  She began to rejoice that Jean
+was going on the morrow; in fact, the afternoon could
+not come too soon to a close for her now.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The final race, the hardest of them all, intricate
+and amazing in its plan and wonderful in its working
+out, in which the obstacles were many and the skill
+required was great, was at its climax.  Holt had kept
+easily abreast, often ahead of all the others, and the
+next to the last round was almost finished.  People
+leaned forward in their seats, then rose upon their
+feet, shouting and cheering and waving their hands.
+Jean, with the others, leaned over the front rail of
+the grandstand, in the centre of the judges' bench
+waving her handkerchief excitedly; the bit of sheer linen
+slipped from her trembling fingers and fluttered to the
+ground.  Quick as a flash Holt spurred ahead and
+wheeling in a circle in front of the judges' stand,
+swinging his body lithely he leaned and picked up the bit of
+linen from the ground, wheeled shortly again and
+handed it to its owner.  Then he was off like a flash
+down the track on the last round but a quarter of the
+way behind the rest, his wonderful advantage lost!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh-hh-hhh!" went up in dismay from a hundred
+throats; and "Ah-hh-h!" in appreciation.  It was a
+pretty bit of gallantry; a skilful trick of horsemanship,
+but, oh, the pity of it, to lose the race for a
+handkerchief!  The crowd could hardly forgive him.  Who
+cared about all the rest?  They were but secondary
+now even though he had fallen behind.  What madness
+and folly when the handkerchief could have waited, or
+was he doing it to be smart?  The crowd were angry
+at their sudden loss, and began to think how just like
+Jasper Holt it was to trifle with them so, when
+suddenly they sat up and took notice.  Was the race lost
+after all?  Jasper Holt had passed the last two riders
+and was running neck and neck with the third, and
+now he passed the fourth from the end.  There were
+but two more to pass.  Still, the others were nearly to
+the three-quarter line, and the foremost was Captain
+Wetherill with his powerful roan mare.  He was
+riding hard and meant to win.  There was a bitter,
+haughty look upon his face.  His triumph would be
+spoiled by all that gallery play that had preceded it,
+though it was plain he felt the victory easy now.  Would
+Holt attempt to pass him?  It seemed impossible, yet
+on he came, his black skimming like a swallow on the
+outside of the ring, gaining, gaining, every second, and
+the rider with his easy, nonchalant air, sitting as if the
+winning were a matter of indifference to him.  The
+crowd stood up and shouted now, a deafening din,
+and Jean stood with them, holding her breath in wonder
+and excitement.  The man who rode second was but a
+few paces ahead when his horse suddenly swerved outward,
+staggered and fell, carrying the rider down with
+him straight in the track of Holt, coming on at his
+terrible pace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The shouting hushed in tightening throats as the
+crowd waited for the terrible catastrophe that seemed
+inevitable.  Then, before they were fully aware of the
+danger, the black horse had leaped over the sudden
+obstacle, and was racing neck and neck with the
+Captain's horse and gaining every step.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Only fifty yards remained to be run.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Breathlessly the crowd stood and watched as the
+two leaders sped forward.  Would he make it?  Would
+it be possible after all the hindrances for mortal rider
+to compass that?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Captain was on his mettle now, spurring his
+horse to its utmost, but still the black kept easily with
+him.  Like two motes in the sunshine set to swim in
+unison the racers looked to the excited crowd as they
+skimmed along together.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean clutched the rail in front of her, her eyes
+blinded once more by sudden tears of excitement, her
+heart thumping wildly till it seemed as if all those about
+her must hear it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suddenly, incredibly, the black seemed to take on
+new speed!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A gasp from the crowd, a breath of satisfaction,
+and then through her tears Jean saw the black leap
+ahead of his rival and clear the line with a lead of fully
+ten feet!
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p><a id="chap18"></a></p>
+
+<h2>
+CHAPTER XVIII
+</h2>
+
+<p>
+For a moment there was silence, as if the crowd
+could not grasp the import of the amazing feat it
+witnessed; as if senses had not yet registered results
+in human brains.  Then a great shout arose, gathering
+force as it swept along.  They stamped, they cheered,
+they yelled, they waved wild, excited hands with
+handkerchiefs, umbrellas, canes, anything that was in them.
+They went mad and prolonged the sound until it was
+deafening.  And there did not seem to be one in that
+whole crowd who remembered that the man for whom
+they were shouting had been for years despised by
+them all.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+No one noticed Jean, with her face wreathed in
+smiles, sparkling with tears, and her heart beating
+wildly with joy.  She stood on her railed platform,
+one hand upon her breast to still its excitement, the
+other hand wiping away her foolish tears which she
+hoped to get rid of before anybody had time to notice
+them.  It was all so wonderful, so beautiful to her to
+have her lover recognized in this way.  To be sure, it
+was only an athletic feat, no recognition of his sterling
+worth the crowd were giving him in this ovation.  She
+was not deceived.  She knew it did not mean any
+change of their relations; no difference in the
+circumstances that divided them; but it was something great
+and beautiful to her to have even his riding recognized
+thus enthusiastically.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The cheering continued in round after round for
+several minutes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Holt had dismounted, halting his horse for a
+moment, and stood facing the shouting mob, reluctant,
+yet as if it were something that had to be performed
+in order to stop their noise.  Then with a slight,
+dignified bow he turned away, and walked toward the
+fallen rider.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Already a doctor had been called and a crowd was
+gathering.  Holt dispersed them with a wave of his
+hand, and kneeling beside the injured man, began
+ministering to him with skilful, tender hand, regardless
+of the shouting of the throng who cheered this new
+action yet more madly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A delegation came in hot haste to bring the hero to
+the judges' stand where Jean, with shining eyes and
+excited, happy face, stood waiting with the wreath in
+her hand to crown him, but he paid not the slightest
+attention to them.  Instead he raised a silver whistle
+to his lips and blew a keen, sweet blast, that even in
+their excitement startled the crowd and made them
+remember the tales connected with that whistle and the
+deeds it had summoned men to do.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Two men jumped down instantly from the front
+seat of the grandstand and were at his side before the
+echo of the whistle had died away.  Jean saw them and
+knew them for the men who had ridden out of the
+woods the day that Scathlin attacked her.  They were
+his special bodyguard, his faithful, tried and true.  He
+sent them off with a word, and in a moment they were
+back with a hastily improvised stretcher and, lifting
+the injured man from the ground, bore him away to
+the tent that had been set up for the use of the ladies.
+Holt would have followed but for the detaining
+committee, who laid hands upon him now and insisted
+eagerly, compellingly, that he was holding up the whole
+performance and he had no right to spoil the day and
+keep the lady waiting.  Even then Holt might have
+resisted had they not made mention of the lady, and
+he looked up and caught her eye and wistful smile&mdash;for
+he had no mind to be further in the public eye&mdash;he
+had ridden for Jean, but he wanted not their favors.
+He took off his hat to her and came forward, and
+the action touched off the crowd again into a hoarser
+cry of excitement than before.  Someone, madder than
+the rest, even ventured to bring his name into the cry:
+"Holt!  Holt!  Holt!  <i>Hurrah!</i>"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Holt lifted up his head proudly at that and went
+forward, not as a man goes who is ashamed before his
+fellow men.  His bearing was of one who dares to face
+others, a "gentleman, unafraid."  The shout died down
+in hushed surprise, and then rose on a higher wave
+that had in it something of the honor and respect his
+bearing had demanded.  And so he came and knelt
+before her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In all that wild, excited company only Eleanor
+Harrington sat unmoved.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What are they shouting again for?" she asked
+her husband impatiently.  "Isn't this thing almost
+over?  I'm tired."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"They are calling Holt to come to the stand and
+receive the prize," said Harrington, under his breath,
+as if it were a bitter thing for him to see.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"How annoying!" said Eleanor, rising to look.
+"And I suppose Jean will have to present it.  If I had
+foreseen any such thing as this I would have forbidden
+her to take such a prominent position.  I think they
+have made altogether too much fuss over that creature
+already.  It was an <i>impertinence</i> in him to come to-day
+and he knew it.  He oughtn't to be encouraged.  I
+wonder you didn't take steps to have him put out at
+the start, James.  But, James!  There is one thing,
+Jean <i>must not</i> ride around the track with him!  I simply
+<i>will not have it</i>!  You must go down there quickly and
+tell her not to.  <i>Forbid</i> it!  Tell her to say she is sick or
+anything, only she must not ride with him.  Quick!
+Go, James! or it will be too late!  She won't have
+sense enough herself.  It will be just like her to think
+she must, she is so afraid of hurting people's feelings.
+See, she is standing up with the wreath in her hands.
+Why don't you go?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Hush!" said Harrington, drawing his wife down
+into her seat again and speaking in a low tone: "Hush!
+Somebody will hear you.  Don't you see she's got to go
+now?  Don't you understand that public opinion will
+demand it?  She'd be a fool to turn back now, she must
+go the whole show.  Besides, I can't afford to get his
+ill-will, and if she didn't go with him Holt would know
+I had prevented her."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You can't <i>afford</i>!" said his wife angrily.  "You
+can't afford!" and she raised her voice in astonishment
+and dismay.  "What do you mean?  I thought you
+told me only a few days ago that you had him where
+he couldn't do you any more harm?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Hush, Eleanor, haven't you any sense at all?  This
+is no place to discuss business matters.  Don't say
+another word.  Things have changed.  I had a message
+from Scathlin.  It's all up!  Don't mention the
+matter to Jean, let her ride with him if she likes.  I've
+got to make friends with him somehow or I'm in a
+bad hole."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Eleanor's face would have been a sight for the
+neighbors if they had not been too busy shouting to
+notice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, I think things have come to a pretty pass
+if my sister's reputation has to be sacrificed for
+business," she retorted.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The white, furious look her husband gave her
+silenced her, however, and she sat back struggling to
+master her own feelings and understand what her
+husband had meant.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dazed and indignant she beheld what was going on
+at the judges' stand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jasper Holt was kneeling almost reverently before
+the girl whom he had twice saved from death, his
+bright head bowed, and she, with her eyes all starry
+bright and a little pink flush stealing into her cheeks,
+bent and laid the laurel wreath upon his brow.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The crowd hushed its sound while the little
+ceremony was performed and then shouted aloud again,
+while Jasper Holt arose and, gracefully as any of the
+gentlemen assembled could have done it, helped the
+lady down the steps and to her saddle; then mounting
+rode beside her, bowing gravely to right and left where
+were drawn up in line those other contestants over
+whom he had won his so-great victory.  These, in spite
+of their chagrin, were bowing and smiling graciously,
+for they would not have the lady know how bitter was
+their defeat; and so together rode the two, silently,
+amid the storm of cheers, out into the arena and around
+the track.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Holt did not presume upon the occasion nor his
+position to show his intimacy with the girl beside him.
+Instead he rode with respectful mien, save for one
+grave, understanding smile at the start, by which she
+knew how much he hated all this publicity and would
+have slipped away without it but for her sake.  As if
+their every word and look could have been heard in all
+that din, they rode with downcast eyes and silent lips,
+and there was nothing in the whole journey around the
+course that could in the least offend the watching,
+anxious, mortified sister.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Not until they were almost back to the judges' stand
+did Holt attempt to even glance her way, and then he
+spoke quite low:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You are going on the morning train?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She bowed assent because she could not speak.  A
+rush of tears was in her throat at thought of leaving.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I shall see you again to say good-bye," he said,
+and gave her one look and smile that filled her heart
+joy.  Then he left her at the judges' stand with
+a low bow and rode out of the arena alone; a long,
+appreciative shout following him out of sight.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean, her heart too full for words, watched him;
+then turned to face her host of friends, who, making
+the best of their disappointment, were clustering around
+her and saying pleasant things.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The madness of the crowd over the late hero was
+dying down even now with his disappearance from the
+arena.  Habit and prejudice were having sway once
+more.  Men laughed deprecatorily over their recent
+frenzy and said: "Well that certainly was great riding.
+It takes a dare-devil to do the impossible.  Of course,
+we know Holt can ride; still I didn't really think he
+could do as well as that."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+By the time they were out on the street and back in
+their homes they had recovered their sanity enough to
+agree with their wives that it was a great piece of
+impudence for him to ride in and take all the honors
+away from the men who had worked so hard to make
+the affair a success.  Yet all in their hearts felt again
+the thrill of excitement as they thought of those last
+fifty yards of the race, and secretly rejoiced that,
+impudence or not, Holt had entered the lists.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You poor little girl," gushed Mrs. Thorne over
+Jean.  "It certainly was a shame that you couldn't
+have had a more respectable escort in your ride around
+the track.  Of course he looked very well and all that,
+I wasn't meaning his clothes; and he really behaved
+much better than I would have expected for him, quite
+modest, getting out of the way and not presuming at
+the end.  It was so much better than if he had had to
+be asked to leave, you know, but still, it was a great
+disappointment that some of your <i>friends</i> couldn't have
+shared the honor with you.  Freeman, I know, will
+be terribly down about not winning."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Thank you, Mrs. Thorne," said Jean sweetly, "I
+am sorry your son had to be disappointed, but of course
+everyone couldn't win, although they all did well, don't
+you think?  But, after all, you know Mr. Holt <i>is</i> one of
+my friends, in fact my first friend, because he saved my
+life in the wreck when I was on my way here, and
+helped me to get here.  I really felt it quite an honor
+to ride with him to-day."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She turned pleasantly to greet the wife of one of
+the officers from the Fort and left poor Mrs. Thorne
+to gasp and roll her eyes in astonishment.  "Of course
+she doesn't know him; she doesn't understand," said the
+poor woman in an aside to Eleanor who came up just
+then.  "And perhaps it's just as well she shouldn't, as
+she's going home so soon.  Poor Freeman!  I don't
+know what he'll do.  He's completely gone over her!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then all those fluttering girls came around Jean
+and began to talk at once.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, wasn't he simply great!  And isn't he handsome
+in those togs?  And isn't it a shame he has to be
+so wicked?  And such a woman hater?  I declare I
+thought he was going to refuse to ride around with
+you.  And, oh, Jean, you sly thing!  You knew he was
+going to enter when you talked about it the other day,
+didn't you?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They chattered and buzzed, and the young men
+came presently and bore them away one at a time.  It
+was the Captain, patient and persevering, who at last,
+by his very persistence, won the right to ride back to
+the house by Jean's side.  Poor Captain, his last ride,
+and that glorious smile in her eyes, but not for him!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She was gentle with him when he tried again to
+persuade her to accept his love.  She told him with a
+wistful sigh that all happiness in this world was not in
+getting what we wanted, but in knowing things were
+real and true and fine.  She said she should always
+think of him as her friend, and she hoped he would
+forget that he had wanted anything else; and she
+thanked him for his beautiful orchids so sweetly that
+she left a warm glow in his heart, notwithstanding his
+double defeat.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Later, as she knelt before her window-seat and
+looked out into the sweet starry night, and over toward
+the cottage where the Golden Sunset roses grew, she
+forgot all the petty things that had been bothering
+her all day, and just let herself be glad for a little
+while.  Then she bowed her head and prayed: "Dear
+Father, I thank Thee for letting them see so much.
+Please, some day let them all know him as he really is.
+Bless him and keep him.  I trust him with Thee, dear
+Lord."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And when she fell asleep at last weary with the
+long day and the excitement, against her pillow under
+her cheek there lay soft cool petals of the golden roses,
+and their fragrance mingled with her dreams and
+brought a smile to her lips.
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p><a id="chap19"></a></p>
+
+<h2>
+CHAPTER XIX.
+</h2>
+
+<p>
+The breath of the roses on her pillow and the fresh
+ones on the stand near the bed wakened Jean softly
+in the early morning, and she lay still, thinking
+joyously that she was to see Jasper once more before she
+left.  She would have some word, some glance to carry
+with her on the way.  She would have all the beautiful
+day that was past to put with their other experience
+together and keep, and she would have that good-bye.
+It was the knowledge that he had promised to see her
+again that brought the smile to her lips and the eternal
+hope of youth to her eyes, when she remembered that
+this was her last day in Hawk Valley, perhaps forever.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There were not many minutes for such happy
+thoughts.  Her trunk was packed, save a few little
+things, but they must be put in; and the children were
+already clamoring for her to come downstairs, they
+could not spare her any longer on this, her last morning.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Before she was entirely ready to go down people
+began to come to the house to say good-bye and attend
+her to the station, and when she was finally ready she
+had gathered quite an escort so that her going through
+the street seemed quite like a little triumphal procession,
+a fit continuation of the festivities of the day before.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Eleanor was proud and pleased and weeping all in
+one, and there was laughing and chatter and banter
+and many invitations for her to return.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There had been more flowers sent this morning, and
+boxes of candy and books for her to read on the way.
+Just before she had left the house Eleanor brought to
+her more orchids that the Captain had sent, and begged
+her to wear them just this one last time, but she was
+already wearing a glorious mass of fresh Golden
+Sunset roses that she had saved at home the day before
+for this purpose.  Eleanor tried to make her take them
+off, but Harrington interfered unexpectedly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"What do you do that for?" he said.  "It's all
+right if she wants to wear them.  People will sort of
+expect it.  It's a piece of her triumph of yesterday.
+It won't do her any harm."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean looked up surprised, caught a shifty, uneasy
+glance in her brother's eye, and read his mean, cringing
+little soul.  He would sacrifice her readily to his
+worst enemy if it suited his needs, and she had always
+felt it&mdash;now she knew it.  He colored under her glance,
+and tried to affect an elderly air of petting her, but
+Jean was not deceived.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The train was twenty minutes late.  There was
+laughter and chatter and a renewal of yesterday's
+merriment around the station while they waited.  Jean
+was enthroned on a pile of packing cases with
+her flowers about her like some queen, and her
+admirers at her feet.  But though her eyes searched the
+landscape in every direction, from her vantage height,
+she could nowhere see Holt, and when the train at last
+was sighted, a mere speck down the track, she felt her
+heart sinking in dismay.  He had promised and he had
+not come!  It seemed as though she could not go
+without that last look from his eyes that she had known
+would be there for her, the covenant for the lonely
+future.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She tried to smile at the last and say all the bright
+things that were expected of her, but she could not
+keep her eyes away from the road that led to Holt's
+house.  When the train finally pulled out, amid the
+waving multitude of friends, and the shouting of last
+messages and fond good-byes, the tears sprang into
+her eyes unbidden and dimmed the faces of those on
+the platform into a great blur.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Well, I'm glad she's safely off," sighed Eleanor,
+climbing into the car beside the children, "and I must
+say that man behaved pretty well not to come down to
+the train.  I didn't think he had that much sense!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But her husband answered not a word.  He drove
+his car with grim silence.  He was wishing Holt had
+come, and wondering if his absence portended evil for
+himself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The travellers on the Eastern Express watched with
+delight the beautiful girl surrounded by her bank of
+flowers who had come to brighten the monotony of
+their long trip.  They wondered where she was going,
+and if she had left a lover behind, that she wiped the
+tears away furtively and kept her head turned, looking
+out of the window at the landscape, which she could
+not see for tears.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Wetherill had assumed the care of putting
+Jean on the train, and had turned over a seat, giving
+her plenty of room to pile the flowers the other men
+brought on board, in the empty seat.  She seemed like
+a young queen in her garden, with roses and lilies and
+violets all about her; but at none of them did she look.
+Her lips were touching the petals of the golden rose
+on her breast and her thoughts were with its giver.
+His fine bearing as he skimmed the ground on his black
+steed, the touch of his soft, bright hair as she laid the
+wreath on his brow, the look of homage in his eyes
+as he raised her hand and led her to her horse, the thrill
+of his voice when he promised to see her again to say
+good-bye; and then the leaden fact that he had not
+come!  Over and over she went the round and always
+came back to that, with the choke in her throat and
+the tears in her eyes.  Excuse after excuse for his not
+coming were conjured in her mind and rejected; and
+vague fear for his safety mingled with them too.  But
+the fact remained&mdash;he had not&mdash;and now she would
+see him no more!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She tried again and again to gather herself together,
+and finally succeeded in mastering the tears so
+that there was only a bright suspicion of them in her
+eyes, but the sense of sadness and something dear,
+unfinished and now impossible, pervaded her entire
+thoughts.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Fifty miles from Hawk Valley the train came to a
+halt at a tiny flag station, and a young man entered,
+tall, handsome, eager, wearing a dark blue suit and a
+soft Panama hat&mdash;a perfect gentleman in every detail;
+a light in his eyes and a smile of welcome on his lips.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean did not look up until he was almost beside her
+seat, and then her heart leaped with a light of
+welcome in her eyes, when she saw that it was Holt!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With a soft little cry she hustled the overflow of
+flowers that lay on the seat beside her into the opposite
+one and made room for him.  The car looked and was
+satisfied.  Her lover had not been left behind after all,
+and he was good to look upon.  All was as it should be.
+They settled back to watch the world-old look on the
+two young faces, with a contentment and zest that
+never flags for the sweetest story of all.  And there
+were no unkind critics here, for none of them had ever
+heard of Jasper Holt.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the still dark of the evening before, Holt had
+ridden forth in the opposite direction from that he
+intended to take, and skirting the town in a wide trail
+well known to himself, he had taken his way across
+country to the little flag station, where he left his
+horse to be cared for until he should return.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Very quietly they sat together, after the first
+wonderful greetings, and talked.  There was over them
+the sadness of a coming separation which each felt
+might be forever; and they spoke no word of hope that
+it might be otherwise.  The day before them was a
+precious treasure they meant to have and keep for life.
+Many things they learned in that brief time, of each
+other's hopes, longings and desires.  Quietly Holt drew
+from her many thoughts of her own pure heart wherewith
+to build his ideal for the future.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Once he looked meaningly at the great bank of
+flowers before him and then down at the golden roses
+on her gown.  They did not need to talk much about
+such things, for their eyes could say it all, and Holt
+read thoughts quickly, keenly, and spoke the language
+of a glance to perfection.  The words that he felt he
+had not a right to speak she might read in his face if
+she chose.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And she chose.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Once, as the afternoon was drawing to a close, he
+said suddenly: "Harrington sent the papers back to
+me last evening."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean looked up startled, questioning, and met amusement
+in Holt's eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"He didn't dare to keep them.  He professes that
+he sent them the minute he knew I was at home, and
+that he has been much disturbed by their presence in
+his house lest his possession of them might be
+misunderstood by me."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A little cloud of apprehension came into Jean's eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Don't be afraid to trust me," Holt said softly,
+with gentleness in his eyes, "I'm not going to make
+any trouble for your sister.  You know that."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then a great light of joy came into her face, and
+the tears which had caused her so much annoyance
+earlier in the day came rushing back for very joy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was in the late afternoon that they reached the
+city where Jean was to change to the sleeper.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Holt gathered up the flowers to take with her, but
+she put out a protesting hand:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, please, I don't want any of them but these,"
+and she laid her hand tenderly over the golden roses
+at her waist.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A look of love and appreciation came into Holt's
+eyes, and he dropped the flowers quite happily, to
+gather up her suit case and umbrella.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Let the brakeman take them home to his wife,
+then," he said joyously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He left her, at last, in the sleeper, and as he stood
+beside the train until it moved out of the station, their
+eyes made promises of trust and loyalty long after
+their lips were forced to remain silent.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean did not weep when she saw the last glimpse of
+his splendid figure on the dim station platform.  She
+had entered upon her desert, but she had the light of his
+look to shine in her heart, and her courage rose.  Her
+eyes were bright and undaunted.  No tears should
+break her down now.  He had kept tryst and she was
+content.  He would be true and she would trust him
+always, even if she never saw him again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Just what the future would hold for her she did
+not care to think.  This strange vow she had made
+with a man she could not hope to marry with her
+parents' consent, and whom she would not marry
+without, she had made on trust and on trust she would
+keep it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She did not mean to trouble her dear ones with
+the story.  They had been far away and they could not
+understand.  She would not have them looking at her
+pityingly, nor thinking of him unworthily.  She would
+trust and live her life, and know that somewhere,
+somehow he was being true also.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Most unpractical, of course, but dear and ideal.
+Her sister Eleanor would have said it was foolish,
+and been glad it was no worse, hoping, of course, that
+now when she saw no more of him she would get over
+it very soon.  But Jean was not made like that.  She
+knew the heartache that was before her, and knowing,
+dared to rejoice in it.
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p><a id="chap20"></a></p>
+
+<h2>
+CHAPTER XX
+</h2>
+
+<p>
+Three days later Jasper Holt rode into Hawk
+Valley from a Westerly direction, serious and silent,
+with a light of purpose in his eyes and a new dignity
+about him; and Harrington, meeting him in trepidation,
+was surprised and not a little disturbed by the
+steady look of understanding that accompanied the
+grave bow he gave him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The tournament had accomplished one thing in
+Holt's favor, for many men meeting him now
+acknowledged his presence by a formal greeting who had
+formerly been wont to ignore him utterly or treat him
+with contempt.  A few even went so far as to try to
+talk with him in a friendly way when they met him
+in the post-office, though perhaps there was the least
+bit of condescension about their manner when they
+did it.  But Jasper Holt held on his reserved way,
+mingling little with any save his chosen few, and
+presuming not at all on his popularity on the day of the
+tournament.  That incident was closed and he wished
+it to be as if it were not so far as they were concerned.
+The greetings of his fellow men he answered coolly,
+almost curtly, always briefly, and was gone.  Would-be
+friends found little encouragement in any advances
+they made.  A recognition won by mere physical skill
+was not what he desired.  His pride lay not in that
+direction.  There were things he intended to do, but
+they would take time, and meantime he went on his
+independent way and men saw little of him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Time passed on and Jean's languishing lovers recovered
+from their various heartbreaks.  Other maidens
+visited Hawk Valley and were feasted and fêted and
+cherished with flowers and tournaments; but Jasper
+Holt came no more to dispute their victories.  He
+was keeping on his quiet, steady way, and gaining
+their respect every day.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Not a word passed between Holt and the girl in
+the East whom he loved.  Eleanor never mentioned
+him in her letters, although her conscience hurt her
+now and then that she did not; for she was an honest
+woman and liked to give even the devil his due.
+Moreover Harrington, after a period of restlessness and
+unstrung nerves, appeared to have settled down to the
+fact that his enemy was not going to bring him to
+justice, and had developed a most extraordinary way
+of saying pleasant things about him now and then.
+He even suggested once that Eleanor include him in
+a dinner they were giving for business purposes; but
+his wife promptly vetoed the idea.  Even for business
+purposes she would not lay aside her principles, she
+said, and shut her lips in a firm line that reminded
+Harrington of her younger sister.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean in her quiet, safe home had not expected letters
+from Holt and so had nothing to be disappointed
+about; but sometimes when her sister's letters came she
+listened eagerly, hoping for just some little word that
+would tell her how he was faring; and after they were
+read she would invariably sit looking wistfully off out
+of the window.  Her father and mother noticed it and
+wondered if she had left her heart behind her with
+any of the many lovers of whom Eleanor had written.
+They talked it over at dusk sometimes when they were
+alone, and looked ahead to the years when their girl
+would be without them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I'd like her to find a strong, noble man," said her
+father, "I cannot bear to think of her treading her
+years alone.  And yet, there are very few men of that
+kind," and he sighed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Perhaps we ought to send her back to Eleanor's
+for another visit," suggested her mother anxiously.
+"We called her home so soon before her visit was
+done you know.  It may be there was someone there.
+It may be she would like to go."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Yet when they suggested it to Jean, although her
+face lighted wistfully she shook her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No, Mother dear," she said firmly, "I'm going
+to stay with you.  I'm not going off there again to get
+my head turned," and from that purpose they could
+not turn her, although they tried more than once; and
+so they settled back relieved and happy that she was
+content to stay with them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Nevertheless, although she would not go, she cried
+her heart out that night with longing; yet knew it was
+better that she should stay.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A year and more had passed with Jean continuing
+on her quiet way in the home and church.  It was not
+an unhappy place to be.  The manse in which they
+lived was beautiful for situation, built of stone with
+pretty rooms and many windows, the rooms all cheerful
+and light and everything pleasant in a simple,
+unpretentious way.  The people of the church loved Jean
+as they loved her father and mother, and she was
+welcome everywhere in all the merrymakings.  She
+had a large Sunday School class in the church and
+another in a mission in the lower part of the town, and
+her boys were her most devoted followers.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Neither was she without older admirers, for all
+the young men in the church and neighborhood were
+her friends, and she was as popular at home as she had
+been in the west.  The little manse reception room was
+never for long unadorned with flowers of some kind
+that had been sent to her, and she was never without
+an escort to anything she cared to attend.  Yet, though
+she had a pleasant circle of young friends and seemed
+to enjoy their company moderately, she never was
+deeply interested in any of them; and one by one those
+who had tried their fortune at her hand, went sadly
+away and seldom came any more.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean seemed happy.  She spent much time with
+her music and her books, when she was not actually
+busy about the house or in the parish helping her father
+with some plan for his poor people or his sick people.
+But she was growing thin, and the wistful look was
+ever in her eyes now.  Her mother watched her
+anxiously and petted her more every day, and her
+father sighed and wished he could afford to take her
+off on a foreign trip for a little while.  Jean only
+smiled, and went on her way, doing every day the duty
+that came next.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sometimes the longing to hear from Holt grew
+intolerable.  Sometimes she almost yielded to her mother's
+suggestion that she make Eleanor another visit; but
+something always held her back.  What was she waiting
+for?  A sign from Holt?  No, that would probably
+never come.  He had said he was unworthy, and he
+would not of himself cross her path again.  But she
+could not go after him.  He might have forgotten, yet
+she believed in her heart he had not.  Her faith in
+him glowed bright as ever.  Even when her common
+sense got to work and told her he was but human and
+by this time the incident of their days together was
+a thing of the past to him and she ought to be satisfied
+if her influence had helped him even for a time to let
+people know the good that was in him; still she did not
+believe that he had forgotten.  She believed he was
+doing just what he had promised to do, and she must
+stay here and trust him.  At least, if he had forgotten,
+she would rather never know.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So she lived her life, and struggled with her
+heartache, and when the pain was too much she knelt and
+prayed for him she loved.  Then at last one day there
+came a great, fat letter from Eleanor, addressed to
+Jean.  Most of Eleanor's letters were addressed to their
+mother, so that when Jean took this one from the
+post-office she caught her breath and her heart beat a trifle
+faster than usual.  What could Eleanor have to say to
+make such a nice, thick letter, and why was it sent to
+her instead of to mother?  Perhaps she was worried
+about mother, or perhaps she wanted to tell some
+trouble to her and not worry their parents.  But always
+when a letter came from her sister, she felt there was
+that blessed chance that perhaps she might say some
+little word about Holt, just to let her know he was
+alive.  It was foolish, of course, because she never
+had done so, and yet hope is a subtle thing and often
+abides without reason for its hiding and springs forth
+at the least encouragement.  Then, there was always a
+little comfort that she said nothing against him, for
+she knew that Eleanor was so constituted that if Holt
+had done anything which the town considered very
+atrocious Jean would have had to hear of it within
+the next twenty-four hours; for Eleanor liked to establish
+her theories by facts even if it were years after
+they were uttered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean did not open her letter at the office.  Her hand
+was trembling too much and her heart beating too
+wildly.  She did not wish to have any one watch her
+while she read that letter, for she had a feeling that
+her face might tell its secrets when she was off guard,
+reading.  So she held the letter with a firm little grip
+and walked down the leaf-strewn street among the
+falling golden foliage, trying to grow calm, and remember
+that this was probably just a regular commonplace
+letter about everyday affairs and nothing unusual in
+it at all; and she must not be disappointed nor expect
+anything great.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She did not open the letter until she was safe on
+the vine-covered piazza at home, sitting in the
+hammock where she would not be disturbed.  Some strange
+power held her from taking it to her mother and
+sharing its first reading with her as she usually did
+any letters she received, especially one of Eleanor's.
+Afterward she wondered at this; wondered too, as she
+remembered how cold her hand had been, and how it
+had trembled when she tried to open the envelope with
+her hat pin.  She was so agitated, so sure by this time
+that something was the matter, that as she took the
+folded sheets from the envelope she closed her eyes
+and breathed a quick petition:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, dear Father, make me strong for whatever it is."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then she unfolded the thick sheets and read the letter.
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p><a id="chap21"></a></p>
+
+<h2>
+CHAPTER XXI
+</h2>
+
+<p>
+"DEAR LITTLE SISTER:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I have a strange task before me, to tell you of
+the fineness and greatness and goodness of a man I
+once told you was not good enough to save your life.
+I feel as if I must ask your forgiveness and his.  You
+were keener sighted than we all and we are ashamed!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Jean, what will you say when I tell you that
+Jasper Holt lies in our guest chamber, your old
+room&mdash;dying, I am afraid?  And that we have him to thank
+that our precious baby did not die a horrible death?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Let me go back and tell you the whole story.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"After you went away James had the most
+extraordinary change of mind about Jasper Holt I ever
+saw in him.  He just turned right around and began
+to talk in his favor, even wanted me to invite him to
+dinner once.  It was some business, of course, that he
+thought he could help him in; but he really got to
+liking him a little I could see.  I suppose it was that
+tournament and his riding so well; though I never
+could understand why men make so much of sports.
+But after it happened you didn't hear nearly so many
+people talking against Jasper Holt.  I think, too, your
+being so good as to ride around the track with him
+had something to do with it.  People saw you were
+not ashamed and they had a good look at him and saw
+the possibilities.  They say he was asked, yes, just
+actually begged, to come in the next tournament and
+ride, but he wouldn't do it.  He hasn't appeared that
+way since you left.  He just went about his business
+gravely, and everybody began to have a lot of respect
+for him.  They say he has done a lot of good to those
+men he has living on his place, and they simply
+worship him.  Somebody told James there wasn't one of
+them but would give his life for him any day.  Well,
+that's something, of course.  Strange we never heard
+about it before.  Why, people used to be actually afraid
+of him and his men.  But he has been doing some
+splendid things here lately.  When Mr. Whateley died,
+just before the harvest, and Mrs. Whateley was left to
+look after her five little children he took his full force
+of men over to her place and harvested everything,
+and fixed up things a great deal better than they were
+ever fixed up before, for Mr. Whateley wasn't much of
+a manager.  And when Lucy Whitcorn was lost for
+three days he organized his men and went out and
+searched till he found her.  They took hold of hands
+and marched across country, through the wheat fields,
+over every spot so they couldn't miss her; and her
+grandmother just put her arms around Jasper Holt's
+neck and cried and kissed him when he brought Lucy
+back asleep in his arms.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But the greatest thing was when he made the
+raid on the saloons.  You remember Slosson's and The
+Three Geese?  They used to have terrible carouses
+there.  Slosson built a concert room over his saloon,
+and advertised&mdash;had balls and dinners there, and The
+Three Geese got a moving picture show over their
+place; and between them they made a pretty fair imitation
+of the bottomless pit in Hawk Valley for a while.
+People got together and talked about it, and said something
+ought to be done to stop it, and Sallie White even
+started a petition about it and got some people to sign,
+but it was near election and no one dared do much.
+Then one night when things were at their height, and
+there had been a shooting affair or two, we heard the
+silver whistle of Jasper Holt's men, and the whole
+cavalcade of them cantered by on horseback.  They
+went like a streak on their dark horses, and they rode
+straight up to The Three Geese and dismounted.
+Before anybody knew what was happening they had
+marched into the bar-room and the concert hall and
+taken possession.  They handcuffed everybody in the
+place and bound them, men and women, and then they
+set to work and emptied out all the liquor and turned
+the big fire hose into every room till there wasn't a
+smell of whiskey left, and it was cleaner than it ever
+was since it was built.  They went to Slosson's and
+did the same thing.  Slosson, and Craven of The Three
+Geese, they put into jail, and some of the others who
+had been most criminal, and they cleaned the whole
+place out.  Jasper Holt took some of the prisoners to
+his own house and kept them there till he reformed
+them, and he has been keeping an eye on them right
+along ever since.  Of course after that people rallied
+around him and were only too glad to be counted in
+with him.  They all admired his nerve, and they saw he
+could make things go, so they turned to work and last
+month they made him mayor of the town, and he has
+reformed everything in the place, till you wouldn't
+know it for the same town.  Now, that's the preface
+and I ought to have told you long ago, little sister, but
+I suppose I was ashamed to, after all I had said.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But now I'm coming to the real story, the one
+that brings the tears to my eyes and makes me feel
+like sobbing; and I have to stop writing and go and
+kiss my baby before I can go on.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"This morning (it seems a week ago) I sat at my
+desk writing my paper for the next Club meeting.  Baby
+was out in the yard in his white rompers and his little
+white hat, with his new red cart that James brought
+him from Chicago on his last trip.  The window was
+open and I could see him gathering leaves and carrying
+them in his cart to the sidewalk, where he dumped them
+in a pile at the edge of the road.  I had been having a
+terrible search for a word in the dictionary, and when
+I looked up again I saw baby standing out in the middle
+of the road working away with all his might to back
+up his cart, the way he saw the big carts do, and dump
+his leaves on the outside of the pile.  I didn't think
+much about it, because there are no teams around in
+the early morning usually, and the autos, the few we
+have in town, don't come on this street much; but just
+as I was beginning to write again I heard a horrible
+roaring sound, and horse's feet flying down the street.
+Something gripped my throat with fear and I could
+scarcely get out of my chair.  I could see the baby
+standing perfectly still, looking at something coming
+towards him.  His little red wagon was standing on
+end, the red paint gleaming in the sun.  Then I heard
+that roar again and I called to Jamie to come in quickly,
+but he didn't seem to know just what to do.  He took
+hold of the handle of his cart and seemed to be worried
+for fear it would be run over.  He tried to hurry with
+it on to the side walk, but being on end it wouldn't
+work quickly.  On came that terrible roar!  I don't
+know how I got out on the porch, but there I saw a
+great, angry bull bearing down straight upon the baby.
+I screamed and tried to run down the steps, but I was
+so frightened my knees just sank under me, and there
+I was in a heap on the steps struggling to get up, and
+my baby standing still, not ten feet from that snorting,
+fiery creature, with its horns lowered at him.  I shut
+my eyes, it was so terrible, like a nightmare, you know,
+when you can't do a thing.  I thought I was going to
+faint, and I tried to call James, though I knew he
+wasn't at home.  Then a wonderful thing happened.
+A horse was flying down the street from the opposite
+direction, straight at the bull, but baby was between.
+I hadn't time to think before the man on the horse
+swung over from his saddle, gathered up the baby
+and dashed sideways out of the bull's way.  It
+was Jasper Holt, and he picked up Jamie just as he
+did your handkerchief that day at the tournament.
+The poor little mite held on to his dear red cart handle
+till he was up in the saddle, hindering the horse's
+movements, of course, and it dangled for a minute right in
+front of the infuriated bull's eyes, who charged at it
+viciously.  Then the weight of the cart wrenched it
+from Jamie's hand, and it fell clattering under the
+horse's feet, but the bull turned and made for the
+horse, who dashed back and forth from side to side,
+dodging those awful horns as if he were a human
+being and knew how to reason.  Jasper Holt tried to
+get near the fence to drop the baby over, but every
+time he came near the bull was in the way.  It was
+only a second of time that it all took, of course, but it
+seemed hours; and I could only scream, but the bull
+roared so loud that I couldn't be heard.  Then the dear
+black horse plunged right over the bull and started
+down the street; but the bull turned and caught him in
+the thigh with his horn and tore a great gash&mdash;oh,
+Jean, I can't describe it all!  It makes me faint even to
+think of it again.  The horse stumbled on bravely for
+a few paces, but you could see he hadn't a chance with
+the bull any more for he was crippled, and Jasper Holt
+saw it, too.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"By that time some men had come with guns, and
+that splendid fellow, with the horse staggering under
+him and the bull charging straight at him, held the
+baby up in the air and told the men to shoot.  It meant
+a terrible risk to himself, of course, because he was in
+the line of fire.  But there was nothing else to do.  They
+shot as carefully as they could, and in a minute or two
+the bull gave one awful roar and lurched back.  The
+horse sank, too, and some one took the baby.  It is all
+confusion in my mind.  I don't really know what
+happened, only that after I got Jamie in my arms and
+had hugged him and kissed him till he cried, I looked
+up and saw them bringing Jasper Holt in at the gate.
+His eyes were shut and one arm hung at the side.  They
+said he had been shot, but had held up the baby till
+the bull was out of the fight.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I made them take him to your room, and someone
+brought the doctor almost at once, but it was a
+serious thing, I could see from the first.  They wouldn't
+let me in the room.  I telephoned for James, and put
+the baby to sleep, for he was all worn out with the
+excitement, and kept starting awake and crying out,
+'Naughty cow!  Naughty cow!' but just as I laid him
+down in his crib the doctor came and said Jasper Holt
+wanted to see me.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Jean, I didn't think a few minutes could make a
+difference like that in a great, big, strong man.  He
+lay there so still I thought he was dead at first; and
+white under all his fine tan he was white as a ghost,
+with his head all done up in bandages and his beautiful
+hair clotted with blood&mdash;one of the shots plowed
+deep into the scalp, it seems.  He opened his eyes&mdash;what
+wonderful eyes he has!&mdash;and looked at me as if
+he were pinning his last hope upon me, and he smiled
+just faintly.  I never knew what perfect lips and teeth
+he had before&mdash;and his smile just like a little child's!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"One could see it was a great effort for him to
+speak.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"'Will you tell your sister that I've kept my promise?'
+he said, slowly and distinctly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"When I told him I would, his eyes lighted up, as
+if the sun were shining behind them, and then they fell
+shut and I think he must have fainted again.  I came
+quite close and tried to tell him how grateful I was to
+him for saving the baby's life, but his eyelids never
+even quivered.  Then the doctor drew me away and
+said it wasn't any use to talk, that he couldn't hear me,
+so I came away, but I couldn't do a thing but just
+hover around the door till James came.  Then he went
+in and found out how things were.  It seems the bull
+gored him&mdash;that is they call it a 'scratch,' but by their
+faces I know its a pretty serious scratch.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Three shots entered his body, one a deep scalp
+wound, one in his shoulder, and one in his arm.  They
+have been probing the wound and having some kind of
+an operation.  They don't know whether he will pull
+through or not.  They say the only thing that is in his
+favor is his splendid health.  The men are talking now
+about his fine clean life, and way he has been doing
+lately, especially.  It seems he never drank nor did a lot
+of things that people took for granted he did.  Oh, Jean,
+I can't stand it if he doesn't get well so I can thank
+him for saving my baby to me.  To think that if it
+weren't for him lying there dying now I should have
+nothing left of my beautiful baby but a little mangled
+corpse!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Jean, I know now why you looked that way when
+you said I did not know Jasper Holt&mdash;the fine, true,
+strong, brave, tender&mdash;&mdash;"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the tears blinded Jean's eyes and she could read
+no more.  For a moment she bent her head and sobbed
+behind the vines.  But only for a moment.  A frenzy
+of fear seized her.  He was dying perhaps, and he
+needed her!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She lifted her head with sudden resolve and hastily
+read the closing sentences of the letter.  Then gathering
+up the scattered sheets she hurried in to her father.
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p><a id="chap22"></a></p>
+
+<h2>
+CHAPTER XXII
+</h2>
+
+<p>
+"Father!" said Jean, closing the study door and
+standing guard in front of it lest her mother enter
+suddenly and be frightened at what she was saying,
+"Father, I must go to Hawk Valley at once,&mdash;to-day!
+No, it isn't Eleanor, nor any of them&mdash;&mdash;" she added
+hastily, as she saw the quick apprehension in her father's
+face.  "They are all well.  I've just had a long letter
+from Eleanor.  Father, it's the man who saved my
+life!  He is dying and he needs me.  I know he wants
+me.  I love him, father, and he loves me!  He didn't
+think you would like him, and so we never said
+anything about it&mdash;but now he's dying and I <i>must go</i>!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The look in her eyes and the tilt of her chin were
+her father's own when he felt he must fulfil some
+high calling and would not be gainsaid.  He knew at
+a glance that it was useless to try to stop her.  Besides,
+he had all confidence in her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I see, daughter," he said with instant comprehension
+and a swift vision of what the wistfulness in
+her face had meant all these long months.  "How soon
+can you be ready?  There is a train at six, I think."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I will be ready, father," she said, and then,
+turning, laid her head for an instant on his shoulder
+and hid her face in his neck.  "Oh, father <i>dear</i>!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He folded her close and kissed her.  "Courage,
+daughter!  Trust in our Father's tenderness."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Thank you so much, father, for understanding,"
+she said, lifting her eyes to his face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"You will want me to go with you, daughter?"
+he asked, trying to think how it would be possible.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"No, father, you couldn't.  You have that funeral
+to-morrow, and they need you," she answered, drying
+her tears, "and then, it wouldn't do to leave mother.
+No, I can go alone perfectly well.  Here is Eleanor's
+letter.  Read it with mother.  That will explain a good
+deal.  I will tell you more on the way to the station.
+He is the one who won the laurel wreath at the
+tournament.  I told you a little about him&mdash;&mdash;"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Yes, I know.  I understand!  Poor little child!
+Now go quickly and I will explain to your mother about
+it.  You haven't much time.  Don't try to pack more
+than a suit case.  We can send your trunk on after you."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There are not many fathers so wise as this one, who
+seemed to know without asking just what was needed,
+who refrained from needless questions, calmed the
+frail mother's fears, and helped his girl away to her
+pain or her rejoicing as it should prove to be, with a
+blessing upon her as she left.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was in the sunset gloaming that she arrived in
+Hawk Valley and the gold of the sky lay behind the
+hills, ruby lined, like the gold of Jasper Holt's roses
+whose sweet withered leaves lay stored among her
+linen in her bureau drawer at home.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They met her at the station, for a telegram had
+heralded her coming.  Quietly, with hushed voices,
+they met her; for death waited beside the couch in
+the guest room of their home, and they had guessed
+how it must be between these two.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"He seems to be sleeping his life away," said
+Eleanor, folding a cloak about her sister, for she saw
+that it was going hard with her.  "They cannot rouse
+him.  He seems content to go.  He does not want to live.
+It is strange with one so strong and young&mdash;&mdash;"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The light of battle came into the younger sister's
+eyes, but she answered nothing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Better come and get something to eat first," said
+Eleanor, when they reached the house, but Jean shook
+her head and fled up the stairs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There could not have been anything quieter than
+the way she opened the door and slipped into that room.
+Her very garments seemed to cling and hush about her
+as she walked.  But he opened his eyes at once; a
+strange, wondering look came into them as she came
+across the room and knelt beside him with a smile.
+Then she bowed her head and laid her lips upon his.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The doctors and the nurse who stood by were as
+nothing.  There were just these two in the universe
+and all else was hushed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So she moved about his room, or sat close beside
+his couch.  She was there when he woke in the night,
+and looked at her, murmuring very low:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Are you real or a dream?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I'm real, dear.  I will not go away," she breathed,
+and laid her soft lips on his again.  This time his own
+responded feebly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was in the morning that the doctors said there
+was hope, though they confessed afterward that
+recovery began with his first sight of Jean's face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean scarcely left his side day or night, and seemed
+tireless.  Often she slept on a low stool beside the bed,
+with her head against his pillow.  One bright morning
+he awoke to find her sleeping so, and laid his weak
+uncertain hand softly upon her head.  She opened her
+eyes, met his smile, and knew that he was better.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"A life for a life," he said softly.  "Dear, you
+must go to your bed and rest.  I will get well now.  You
+are killing yourself."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But her smile shone forth radiantly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I couldn't rest away from you," she said, giving
+him a dazzling look.  "I'm not going to leave you any
+more, ever!"  Then she paused and looked shyly up
+again.  "Unless," she added archly, "unless&mdash;you've
+changed your mind and don't want me.  In that case
+I'll go back home as soon as you are able to be out."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, <i>my dear</i>!" he said softly, and drew her
+down to his breast with his one good arm.  "Do you
+mean it?  Not leave me again ever?  Are you willing
+to be my wife?  Can you really trust me now?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"I've trusted you always," she said softly, nestling
+her face against his cheek.  "I trusted you the first
+time I saw you."
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"But your people, Jean?"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"My people all love you and honor you," said
+Jean, with shining eyes.  "They think you are
+magnificent!  They cannot say enough about you.  Eleanor
+would bow down and kiss your feet, and my father
+and mother know all about you and have sent me to
+you willingly.  But, Jasper, listen, if every one in this
+wide world were against you, even my dear people,
+I should marry you anyway and stay with you!  I
+couldn't live any longer without you!"
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He looked into her eyes, and he drank in her trust
+and loveliness, and beautiful self-surrender as if it
+had been some life-giving draught; then he laid his
+hand upon her hair and pressed her closer to him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+"Oh, you wonderful woman!" he said.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It did not take Jasper Holt long to get well after
+that.  Hope and joy shone in his eyes so that his face
+was dazzling to look upon, and those who came into his
+room walked softly, filled with awe, that a man who
+had come and gone among them for years and been
+held almost in contempt, could have within him a soul
+so great and noble as to shine like that in his face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jean's father and mother came west for a visit
+about that time, for Jean wrote that there was no use
+expecting her to return now, and when the two met,
+Jean's father and her lover, and stood hand in hand,
+looking into one another's eyes for a full, long minute
+before either spoke, each felt entirely satisfied.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Of course all this could not go on without the town
+knowing something of the state of things, for
+everybody came to find out how the hero was getting on;
+and Jasper Holt's men, as they came and went in grave
+concern were beset with questions.  And when Jean
+arrived, then her parents, the town opened eyes of
+understanding and nodded gravely, thinking it was well.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So when it was announced most informally that a
+wedding would take place no one was surprised.
+Indeed, Jean's girl friends had been embroidering and
+chattering away over wedding gifts for a week before
+it was whispered officially that they would be needed.
+Once more the Harrington house was smothered in
+flowers for Jean.  Gifts came from far and near, from
+all her old admirers who were now also with one consent
+become Holt's admirers.  But the flowers that Jean
+carried in her arms when she came down the stairs,
+white clad and smiling, to meet her bridegroom, were
+great Golden Sunset roses, gathered by Holt's faithful
+men for her; and among the guests were all those men,
+fifty-four of them, standing grim and embarrassed
+outside the door to watch their leader stand among the
+flowers and take his beautiful girl bride by the hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was sunset again, gold and ruby sunset, when
+they went home to his house, after the wedding supper.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The sky was broad and clear translucent gold, with
+a deep heart of pure ruby blazing out behind the
+rose-wreathed cottage when Jean saw it for the first time.
+The roses hung in heavy-headed wealth about the doorway,
+and the men stood double ranked each side of the
+path.  They had decked the house for her coming, those
+rough men who loved her lord, with boughs of
+sweet-smelling branches; heaped up blazing logs in the big
+stone fireplace, and sand-strewn the floor all clean and
+fresh.  There alone at last together in their own home
+they stood with ruby and golden light from the sunset
+windows mingling with the soft flicker of firelight, and
+looked into each other's eyes and knew that their
+heavenly Father had been good to them.
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p><a id="chap23"></a></p>
+
+<p class="t3b">
+  BOOKS BY
+<br><br>
+  GRACE LIVINGSTON HILL
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+  April Gold<br>
+  Happiness Hill<br>
+  The Beloved Stranger<br>
+  The Honor Girl<br>
+  Bright Arrows<br>
+  Kerry<br>
+  Christmas Bride<br>
+  Marigold<br>
+  Crimson Roses<br>
+  Miranda<br>
+  Duskin<br>
+  The Mystery of Mary<br>
+  Found Treasure<br>
+  Partners<br>
+  A Girl to Come Home To<br>
+  Rainbow Cottage<br>
+  The Red Signal<br>
+  White Orchids<br>
+  Silver Wings<br>
+  The Tryst<br>
+  The Strange Proposal<br>
+  Through These Fires<br>
+  The Street of the City<br>
+  All Through the Night<br>
+  The Gold Shoe<br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+  Astra<br>
+  Homing<br>
+  Blue Ruin<br>
+  Job's Niece<br>
+  Challengers<br>
+  The Man of the Desert<br>
+  Coming Through the Rye<br>
+  More Than Conqueror<br>
+  Daphne Deane<br>
+  A New Name<br>
+  The Enchanted Barn<br>
+  The Patch of Blue<br>
+  Girl from Montana<br>
+  The Ransom<br>
+  Rose Galbraith<br>
+  The Witness<br>
+  Sound of the Trumpet<br>
+  Sunrise<br>
+  Tomorrow About This Time<br>
+  Amorelle<br>
+  Head of the House<br>
+  Ariel Custer<br>
+  In Tune with Wedding Bells<br>
+  Chance of a Lifetime<br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+  Maris<br>
+  Crimson Mountain<br>
+  Out of the Storm<br>
+  Exit Betty<br>
+  Mystery Flowers<br>
+  The Prodigal Girl<br>
+  Girl of the Woods<br>
+  Re-Creations<br>
+  The White Flower<br>
+  Matched Pearls<br>
+  Time of the Singing of Birds<br>
+  Ladybird<br>
+  The Substitute Guest<br>
+  Beauty for Ashes<br>
+  Stranger Within the Gates<br>
+  The Best Man<br>
+  Spice Box<br>
+  The Seventh Hour<br>
+  Dawn of the Morning<br>
+  The Search<br>
+  Brentwood<br>
+  Cloudy Jewel<br>
+  The Voice in the Wilderness<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+  BOOKS BY<br>
+  RUTH LIVINGSTON HILL<br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+  Mary Arden (<i>with Grace Livingston Hill</i>)<br>
+  Morning Is for Joy<br>
+  John Nielson Had a Daughter<br>
+  Bright Conquest<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br><br></p>
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78752 ***</div>
+</body>
+</html>
+
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+This book, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
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+
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+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for eBook #78752
+(https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/78752)