instinct warned her that no more reassuring information
could be given him.

And the result justified it. He smiled faintly, and, in a few moments,
his eyes closed again and he slept.

Then the girl set about her work in earnest. She hurried down-stairs
and communicated the good news to Joe. She went in search of Jake, to
have a man despatched for the doctor. For the time at least all her
troubles were forgotten in her thankfulness at her lover's return to
life. Somehow, as she passed out of the house, the very sunlight
seemed to rejoice with her; the old familiar buildings had something
friendly in their bald, unyielding aspect. Even the hideous corrals
looked less like the prisons they were, and the branding forges less
cruel. But greatest wonder of all was the attitude of Jake when she
put her request before him. The giant smiled upon her and granted it
without demur. And, in her gladness, the simple child smiled back her
heartfelt thanks. But her smile was short-lived, and her thanks were
premature.

"I'm pretty nigh glad that feller's mendin'," Jake said. "Say, he's a
man, that feller." He turned his eyes away and avoided her smiling
gaze, and continued in a tone he tried to make regretful. "Guess I was
gettin' to feel mean about him. We haven't hit it exac'ly. I allow
it's mostly temper between us. Howsum, I guess it can't be helped
now--now he's goin'."

"Going?" the girl inquired. But she knew he would be going, only she
wondered what Jake meant.

"Sure," the foreman said, with a sudden return to his usual manner.
"Say, your father's up against him good and hot. I've seen Julian
Marbolt mad--madder'n hell; but I ain't never seen him jest as mad as
he is against your beau. When Tresler gits right he's got to
quit--quick. I've been wonderin' what's fixed your father like that.
Guess you ain't been crazy enough to tell him that Tresler's been
sparkin' you?"

The girl's smile died out, and her pretty eyes assumed a look of stony
contempt as she answered with spirit. And Jake listened to her reply
with a smile on his bold face that in no wise concealed his desire to
hurt her.

"Whatever happens Mr. Tresler doesn't leave our house until Doc. Osler
gives the word. Perhaps it will do you good to further understand that
the doctor will not give that word until I choose."

"You're a silly wench!" Jake exclaimed angrily. Then he became
scornful. "I don't care that much for Tresler, now." Nevertheless he
gave a