ved it. But I don't and
can't feel that way. Some day----" He laughed and made a helpless
gesture. "But why talk? It's too easy, and it's mighty cheap anyway.
I----"

But Nan was pointing out of the window. She welcomed a sudden
diversion.

"It's Elvine coming right along over." Then, as Jeff craned forward:
"Say, she's a dandy horsewoman. Get a look at her. Gracious, she
might have been born in the saddle."

But Jeff had not waited. He was out on the veranda to greet his wife
as she came. And just for one instant Nan caught a glimpse of the
light in his eyes which the sight of Elvine had conjured. All the
coldness she had witnessed that morning, all the merciless purpose,
even the simple friendliness he had displayed toward her. These were
gone. Their place had been taken by a light of passionate regard for
the woman who had yielded herself to him. For a moment it seemed as if
her own emotions must stifle her. But the next she was within the room
again, her eyes merrily dancing, talking to the parent she adored.

"Say, you Daddy of mine," she said, almost boisterously, "haven't you
work to be done, the same as I have? Shame on you for dallying. Shame
on us both. Come right along, sir. Come right along at once." Then,
as he moved toward the window, "No, no, you dear blundering Daddy, not
that way! That's reserved. The back door for us, sure. Come along."

And the great Bud permitted himself to be hustled from the room through
the kitchen way.

Nan's effort was only partially successful. In a few moments the
fugitives were urgently recalled to hear the news of the disaster at
Spruce Crossing, which Elvine had brought with her. And during the
discussion which followed Nan was forced to stand by while the handsome
woman who had supplanted her occupied the centre of attention.

Somehow the news which held the others, drawing forth hot condemnation
from Bud, and the bitter comment of Jeff, for once left Nan cold.
Somehow it seemed so small a thing compared with that other disaster
which was always with her. Her whole attention was held by Jeff and
his wife. Not a detail of expression or emotion, as the swift words
flowed between them, was lost upon her. And the exquisite pain of it
all was excruciating.

The great love of the man was so apparent. There was a moment, even,
just as Jeff and Elvine were about to take their departure, when Nan
could have almost cried out. It had followed