ess I'll git goin' now."

Seth's announcement was received without question by Rube, for there was
perfect understanding between these men.

Half an hour later Seth was leading his horse from the barn ready saddled
for the journey. As he moved out he saw Rosebud coming toward him from the
house. He waited, and she came up in something of a flutter of confusion.
She had an unusual color, and her eyes were sparkling. Seth noted these
things while he appeared to be arranging the contents of his saddle-bags.

"Pa says you're going into Beacon Crossing, Seth," she said without
preamble, as she stood at the horse's head and idly smoothed its velvety
muzzle with her soft brown hand.

"That's so," the man answered.

"I've written a letter to New York for a store price list. Will you mail
it?"

"Sure."

There was an odd smile in Seth's dark eyes. He knew this was not the
girl's object in coming to him. He always called in at the house to ask
for letters at the last moment before starting. There was a slight
awkwardness while he waited for the girl to go on.

Suddenly Rosebud stooped and ran her hands down the horse's fore-legs. Her
face was thus concealed.

"Seth, I used to think you wanted to get rid of me. You remember? Well,
I--I think I know differently now. I'm sure I do. And I want to say I'm
sorry for being angry and nasty about it that time. What beautiful clean
legs Buck has got."

"Ye-es." A soft light shone in the man's steady eyes as he gazed upon the
girl's still bent figure. One of his hands was resting on the cantle of
his saddle, and for a moment it gripped tight. He was suddenly swept by a
passionate longing that was hard to resist, and his answer came in a
slightly husky tone. "You see, Rosie, when I want to be quit of you, it
ain't for anything you do or say, it's---- Guess I must be goin'."

Rosebud had abruptly straightened up, and her bright eyes were smiling
into his face. At that moment Seth could not support the flashing inquiry
of them, so he sought safety in flight. He vaulted into the saddle almost
as he spoke, and, with a wave of his hand, rode off, leaving her
undeniably mistress of the situation.

She followed him with her eyes as he rode to the kitchen door and hailed
Ma. Her smile was still wreathing her pretty features when he finally
headed away for the trail. It became more and more tender as horse and
rider receded, and at last she turned away with a sigh.

"I wonder what he'd