world would give her ample scope in this. Then there was
the work of the ranch. Here her earlier experiences would help her
materially.

So she laid for herself a deliberate campaign. Always counting that
his lightest command was her law, and nothing must be permitted to
display her desire to break down the barrier he had set up between them.

Two days of deep consideration showed her her course. And once having
marked it out she set about following it.

Her house was her first care. It must be ordered as no other house of
its kind was ordered. She thought of every expressed wish of his
during their brief engagement and honeymoon, and sorted it into its
place in scheme.

Then came her place in the work of the range. This was more difficult
to take at once by reason of lack of precedent. But by tactful
watchfulness she felt it could be accomplished. Her first step must be
to impress on Lal Hobhouse her intention, and, in this, even sooner
than she had dared to hope, she managed to secure a footing. Once her
mind was set to achieve a purpose her capacity was beyond all question,
and in these troublous times of rustlers the foreman was more than
content to welcome her aid.

Throughout these days she rarely obtruded herself upon the man she
desired most in the world. He might almost have been non-existent.
The rare moments in which he spoke to her were met with a cool reserve
on her part, which left nothing to be desired, and gave no opportunity
for the reopening of those matters which had brought about the
position. Indeed, Elvine had more than reason to be satisfied with her
work.

She felt at last that the worst was over, and now it remained for her
to win back, step by step, the lost ground, until she had restored
herself to her position. It could be done. It should be done, she
told herself. She admitted no crime against him. Then where was the
justice of it? Anyway, that fierce dread was off her mind. She knew
the worst now. She no longer stood on the brink of an abyss of
doubt----

She was in her bedroom considering these things. It was a golden
evening and the setting sun was shining athwart her windows. Quite
suddenly the simple sewing in her fingers dropped upon her lap, and her
startled eyes turned upon the wide view of the valley bathed in the
perfect evening light.

Was she no longer standing upon that brink? The question flashed
through her mind as she remembered an incident u