upon an expression of
Elvine's dislike and fear of the man who conveyed the news to her.

Jeff took up her complaint in no half-hearted fashion, and, somehow,
the injustice of his attitude and his obvious thought for his wife
alone brought the girl's hot resentment very near the surface.

"Yes," he said. "He's a tough, sure. I've kept him on because he's
one of the brightest cow-hands east of the mountains. But you're
right, Evie. And I can't stand for you being scared by the 'hands' on
my ranch. I'll have to get rid of him." Then, as he sat in the saddle
with Elvine on her pony at his side, he had taken in Nan and her father
in a smiling, comprehensive glance. "I guess Evie's some sport acting
the way she's done," he declared with a lover's pride. "I allow we owe
her a heap of thanks, eh, Bud?"

Bud nodded.

"We're mighty grateful, ma'am," he declared, heartily in his formal
way. "Guess we all thank you, sure." Then he turned to Jeff more
directly. "I'll get busy right away. That'll leave you free to get
right on doping out that reward notice this afternoon, an' generally
fixing things before you make the trail to-morrow morning."

Then they had taken their departure. And with their going Nan hastily
returned to the parlor.

Bud followed her almost on the instant. He had moved with incredible
swiftness, which is often the way of heavy men under stress of feeling.
Already the tears were gathering in the girl's eyes when his words fell
upon her ears.

"Say, little gal," he said, with a deep note of sympathy in his
rumbling tones, "we're bein' hit up pretty bad since Jeff bro't her
back home. Maybe we're feelin' 'bout as foolish as we're lookin'. But
we're goin' to beat the game--sure, eh? We're goin' to beat it because
we're built that way, an'--we got the grit to do it."

* * * * * *

The horses were walking leisurely over the summer grass. The house was
less than two miles distant. There was no immediate hurry. Besides,
Elvine was reading the letter which Jeff had handed her in reply to her
inquiry as to the contemplated journey which Bud had mentioned.

Jeff was observing her closely as she read. There were no doubts in
his mind. He was not even seeking the effect of the letter. He was
dwelling with a lover's delight upon the picture she made.

Nor was his approval extravagant. Any one must have admitted the
justice of it. Nan had admitted it when sh