em no
further hold to turn on him. Yes, he saw how bad his position would be
in the future. He wondered what would come of that morning's work;
and, in spite of his confident assurance to Joe, he dreaded now lest
there should be any means for them to get rid of him. He moved toward
the door.

"All right, Joe. I'll keep a check on myself in the future," he said.
"But don't you go and get drunk again or----"

He broke off. Flinging the door open to pass out, he found himself
face to face with the object of their solicitude. Diane had been about
to knock, and now started back in confusion. She had not expected
this. She thought Tresler was with the "breaking" party. The man saw
her distress, and the anxiety in her sweet brown eyes. He knew that at
that moment all her thought was for Joe. It was the basket on her arm,
full of comforts, that told him. And he knew, too, that she must have
been a witness to the disgraceful scene by the barn, for how else
could she have learned so quickly what had happened? He put his finger
on his lip to silence her, while he closed the bunkhouse door behind
him. Then he responded to the inquiry he saw in her eager, troubled
face.

"He is better, Miss Diane. He will soon be all right," he added,
keeping his voice low lest it should reach the man inside. "Can I give
him anything for you? Any message?" He glanced significantly from her
face to the basket on her arm.

The girl did not answer at once. Her eyes looked seriously up into his
face.

"Thank you," she said at last, a little vaguely. Then she broke out
eagerly, and Tresler understood the feeling that prompted her. "I saw
the finish of it all," she went on; "oh, the dreadful finish. Thank
God I did not see the rest. When you bore him off on your shoulders I
thought he was dead. Then I felt I could not stay away. While I was
wondering how to get down here without attracting attention, Sheriff
Fyles arrived, and father and he went at once into the office. I knew
Jake would be out of the way. I waited until Anton had disappeared
with the sheriff's horse, then I hurried down here. Can I see him now?
I have a few little luxuries here which I scrambled together for him."

The girl's appeal was irresistible. Nor was Tresler the man to attempt
the impossible. Besides, she knew all, so there was nothing to hide
from her. He glanced over at the barn. The men had already saddled. He
saw Arizona leading two horses, and recognized Lady Jezebel