lora's face grew very scornful.

"I haven't your chivalrous scruples; and I know Mrs. Marston. She's
utterly worthless! What is likely to happen when your comrade finds it
out?"

Then she rose abruptly.

"After all, that's a matter which chiefly concerns Mr. Lansing, and I
dare say the woman he believes in will be capable of dealing with the
situation. Let's talk of something else."

They turned back toward the farm, but Edgar found it difficult to start
a fresh topic. All the workings of his mind centered upon George, and
he suspected that his companion's thoughts had a similar tendency. It
was getting dark when they rejoined the rest of the party, and the next
morning Flett and another constable rode in. They had discovered
nothing, but as they were ready to take up the trail, Grant left the
task to them and turned back with his men.

Flora long remembered the dreary two day's ride, for although she had
borne it with courage, Edgar's news had caused her a painful shock.
She had, from the beginning, been strongly drawn to George, and when he
had been carried off the knowledge that she loved him had been brought
home to her. Now, looking back with rudely opened eyes, there was
little comfort in recognizing that he had made no demands on her
affection. Bitter as she was, she could not blame him; she had been
madly foolish and must suffer for it. She called her pride to the
rescue, but it failed her. The torturing anxiety about the man's fate
remained, and with it a humiliating regret, which was not altogether
selfish, that it was Sylvia Marston he had chosen. Sylvia, who was
clever, had, of course, tricked him; but this was no consolation. It
was, however, needful to hide her feelings from her father and assume
an interest in his remarks, though, when he spoke, it was always of
Lansing and what had probably befallen him.

The prairie was dazzlingly bright, the trail they followed was thick
with fine black dust, and most of the day the heat was trying; the girl
felt utterly jaded and very heavy of heart, but when it appeared
desirable she forced herself to talk. Her father must never suspect
her folly, though she wondered uneasily how far she might have betrayed
it to West. Reaching the homestead at length, she resumed her duties,
and anxiously waited for news of George. Once that she heard he was
safe, it would, she thought, be easier to drive him out of her mind
forever.

As it happened, George h