t
and graceful as a fawn. Not since spring had he seen her, though in the
night watches he had often heard the sound of her gay voice, seen the
flash of her bright eyes, and recalled the sweet and gallant buoyancy
that was the dear note of her comradeship.

Billie looked after his horse and walked with Jim to the Proctor House.
His mind was already busy appraising the changes in his friend. Clanton
was now a "two-gun" man. From each hip hung a heavy revolver, the lower
ends of the holsters tied down in order not to interfere with lightning
rapidity of action. The young man showed no signs of nervousness, but his
chill eyes watched without ceasing the street, doors and windows of
buildings, the faces of passers-by and corner loafers. What Prince had
foreseen was coming to pass. He was paying the penalty of his reputation
as a bad man. Already incessant wariness was the price of life for him.

A second surprise awaited Billie at the Roubideau house. Polly was in the
kitchen and looked out of the door only to wave a big spoon at them as
they approached. Another young woman welcomed them. At sight of Billie a
deep flush burned under her dark skin. It was, perhaps, because of this
sign of emotion that her greeting was very cavalier.

"You're back, I see!"

Prince ignored the hint of hostility in her manner. His big hand gripped
her little one firmly.

"Yes, I'm back, Miss Lee, and right glad to see you lookin' so well. I'll
never forget the last time we met."

Neither would she, but she did not care to tell him so. The memory of the
adventure by the river-bank recurred persistently. This lean, sunbaked
cowpuncher with the kind eyes and quiet efficiency of bearing had
impressed himself upon her as no other man had. There was a touch of
scorn in her feeling for herself, because she knew she wanted him for her
mate more than anything else on earth. In the night, alone in the
friendly darkness, her hot face pressed into the cool pillows, she
confessed to herself that she loved him and longed for the sight of his
strong, good-looking face with its smile of whimsical humor. But that was
when she was safe from the eyes of the world. Now, to punish herself and
to prevent him from suspecting the truth, she devoted her attention
mainly to Clanton.

Jim was openly her admirer. He wanted Lee to know it and did not care who
else observed his devotion. Pauline for one guessed the boy's state of
mind and smiled at it, but Billie wo