ons. The Carreras interests became, in Jaffier's
mind, second only to the interests of the government. A handsome
present and a rich grant of land were privately conferred upon Miss
Mallory, at Bedient's suggestion, for her brilliant services to the
government.... But these are dry externals. A careful resume of happy
adjustments from Jaffier down to Monkhouse following the last sail of
the Spaniard, would weary.... Three days after the spent and silent six
rode up to the _hacienda_, Bedient was left with but two guests, Miss
Mallory and Jim Framtree, who were awaiting the New York steamer.... In
effect, the parable of the horses had been retold to Framtree. Bedient
took him for a night-walk over the hills for this.

"But Beth showed me very clearly--where I wouldn't do at all," the big
man said intensely. "And clearly, I saw it, too,--raw and unfinished
beside her, I was."

"Did she ever show you that little picture of you she painted?" Bedient
asked.

"No. All she had of me were a few kodak prints----"

"She probably painted the picture from them," Bedient said. "I saw it
on her mantle one day, and instantly our little talk in Coral City
recurred to me. I knew you. Beth Truba didn't mention your name.... The
portrait is exquisitely done.... Why, Jim Framtree, that portrait meant
more to her than my comings and goings in the flesh----"

"I can't quite understand that, Bedient!"

"I knew there was some power in her heart that I did not affect. I
related it to the picture, and when she told me the parable, I asked
her outright if the picture and her heart's knight were one. She
answered 'Yes.'... And so, Jim, I stand in awe of you. You've won and
held what is to me the greatest woman of our time. I don't know
anything I wouldn't do for you--with that light upon you----"

"You've got me thinking faster than is safe, Bedient. Do men turn this
sort of trick very often for each other?"

"It was glad tidings," Bedient said. "The fact is, I have no better
thing to give, than services for such a woman. It's clear and simple,
that my business is to make her as happy as I can from the outside....
And, Jim, she must not know I told you, nor that I hunted you up. It
wouldn't be best.... Just go back to New York, ask to see her, and try
again. She'll be glad----"

"You're sure of that?"

"Well, I shouldn't be sure. It's her province.... I want her to have
the chance."

"...You ought to know how I feel about all this, B