d with her small victory. She had gained
her point, it is true, but she had gained it by means which gave no
promise of a happy outcome to her purpose.

Left alone with her patient she had little to do but reflect on her
position, and her thoughts brought her many a sigh, much heart-racking
and anxiety. For herself she allowed little thought. Her mind was made
up as to her future. Her love was to be snatched away while yet the
first sweet glamour of it was upon her. Every hope, every little
castle she had raised in her maiden thoughts, had been ruthlessly
shattered, and the outlook of her future was one dull gray vista of
hopelessness. It was the old order accentuated, and the pain of it
gripped her heart with every moment she gave to its contemplation.
Happily the life she had lived had strengthened her; she was not the
girl to weep at every ill that befell. The first shock had driven her
to tears, but that had passed. She was of a nature that can suffer
bravely, and face the world dry-eyed, gently, keeping the bitterness
of her lot to herself, and hiding her own pain under an earnest
attempt to help others.

Tresler was her all; and that all meant far more than mere earthly
love. To her he was something that must be cherished as a priceless
gem entrusted to her care, and his honor was more sacred to her than
her own. Therefore all personal considerations must be passed over,
and she must give him up.

But if his honor was safe in her keeping, his personal safety was
another matter. In pitting herself against her father's will she fully
realized the danger she was incurring. Therefore she racked her sorely
taxed brain for the best means of safeguarding her charge.

She hardly knew what she feared. There was no real danger she could
think of, but her instinct warned her to watchfulness, to be prepared
for anything. She felt sure that her father would seek some means of
circumventing the sheriff's mandate. What form would his attempt take?

After half an hour's hard thinking she made up her mind to consult her
wise old counselor, Joe, and enlist his aid. With this object in view
she went down-stairs and visited the lean-to. Here she found both
Arizona and Joe. Arizona was waiting a summons from the rancher, who
was still busy with Jake and Fyles. At first she thought of consulting
her adviser privately, but finally decided to take both men into her
confidence; and this the more readily since she knew her lover's
li