ed; a dozen times
that day she found herself speculating on the personality of the fair
unknown, on the exact relationship which existed between her and her own
escort. They could not be definitely engaged, or some of the Indian
letters would have mentioned the fact. Perhaps his health had prevented
him from speaking... Perhaps now that he was stronger... She tried to
recall all she had heard concerning the few girls in the station. And
of course there were the married women! Bedford might wish to take back
remembrances to some woman who had shown him hospitality--to Dorothea
herself, for example. Katrine mentally insisted on this point, but in
her heart she did not believe it. There was something in the manner in
which Bedford had thrown down that coin, in the silence in which he had
pocketed his purchase, which to her feminine sensibilities betrayed a
deeper interest.

"I will ask Dorothea!" Katrine decided once more, but before an hour
was over curiosity had mastered her, and she was questioning Bedford
about every woman in the station. The result was as illuminating as
such enquiries usually are, and no more so, for Bedford had a good word
to say of each. When she had exhausted her list of questions, Katrine
sat silent, staring before her, her face grave and set. Bedford looked
at her askance, and his eyes danced, but all traces of amusement were
carefully banished from his voice.

"You look very serious. What are you thinking about so deeply?"

"I was thinking of what you have said. I had no idea, from my letters,
that you had so many--girls in the station! That will be very nice."

"I'm glad you are pleased," he said suavely, and Katrine incontinently
blushed.

That night she lay awake once more, struggling with a depression which
she assured herself was well grounded. If there were already several
agreeable and fascinating girls in the station, her own arrival could
not be of such moment as she had expected. Dorothea would have other
friends; Bedford had apparently one in special. They would not need
her, but--Jim would! Jim had declared himself to be impervious to the
claims of every other woman. Poor Jim! Katrine checked herself
angrily. Why _poor_? This was the first time she had applied the
derogatory epithet to her unknown lover. She made haste to atone for
the slip by an unusual endearment. "_Dear_ Jim!" She repeated to
herself, "_Dear_ Jim!" and with a rush of loyalty and gra