say more, though the
need of it was obscure. It had never been his way to appeal, but he
resigned himself to the reflection that his life had been entirely
changed by his marriage. He was no longer responsible only to himself.
With an effort he flung aside an inclination to resentment.

"Say, Evie," he cried, "it's a bit tough on you having to leave you
even for a day just as we've got back to home. It's that way with me,
too. I just don't fancy going a small bit. But I daren't refuse Dug
McFarlane. He's one of the biggest men around, and I'll need all the
friends I can round up. There's another thing. I've got it back of my
mind later on to form a Trust amongst the growers, and Dug's a most
important concern in such a scheme. I'd be crazy to refuse. Why, I
just couldn't refuse anyway. You're going to help me, dear, aren't
you? I've talked to Bud and Nan, and fixed things so you won't be
lonesome. Nan's promised to sleep in the house with you, so you shan't
feel that way. Or you could go over to her. It's just one night,
that's all."

It may have been his obvious sincerity, it may have been that the
woman's objections were really the result of disappointment only. At
any rate a distinct change came over her, and she turned to him with a
smile.

"I'm just too selfish, Jeff," she cried. "But--but it did seem
hard--at first. Go? Of course you must go. And you're not to worry
about me. Nor is Nan. I wouldn't have her come over for me for
anything, and I'm not going to sleep out of my home, either. You
needn't be scared I'll be lonesome. I've got all this beautiful world
around me, and all your interests. And rustlers? Why, I'm not scared
of the worst rustlers living."

A delighted sense of gratitude replaced Jeff's every other feeling.

"Say," he cried, with a sudden vehemence, "you've good grit, Evie.
You're a bully soul. You're the sort would set a man crazy to corral
the world, and set it at your feet. I'll get right back quick. I
won't wait an hour more than I need."

Elvine's decision had been forced upon her, but once having taken it
she threw something more into her words than the mere encouragement
that seemed necessary.

"No," she declared, her eyes shining. "You're not even to hurry back.
Get right through with your work, or any schemes you have to arrange
while you're there, before you think of me." Then her voice softened
to a great tenderness. "I want you to win through