"Marry me. Just exactly what I intend, darling. Now, seriously, let's
forget the old past; Jake, your father, Anton, all of them--except
Arizona."

Diane nestled closer to him in spite of her protests. There was
something so strong, reliant, masterful about her Jack that made him
irresistible to her. She knew she was wrong in allowing herself to
think like this at such a moment, but, after all, she was a weak,
loving woman, fighting in what she conceived to be the cause of right.
If she found that her heart, so long starved of affection, overcame
her sense of duty, was there much blame? Tresler felt the gentle
clinging movement, and pressed her for her answer at once.

"Time's nearly up, dearest. See through that window, Fyles and Joe are
coming over to you. Is it marry, or am I to go to the Arctic regions
fishing for polar bears without an overcoat? I don't care which it
is--I mean--no. Yes, quick! They're on the verandah."

The girl nodded. "Yes," she said, so low that his face came in contact
with hers in his effort to hear, and stayed there until the burly
sheriff knocked at the door.

He entered, followed by Joe. Tresler and Diane were standing side by
side. He was still holding her hand.

"Fyles," Tresler said at once, beaming upon both men, "let me present
you to the future Mrs. John Tresler. Joe," he added, turning on the
little man who was twisting his slouch hat up unmercifully in his
nervous hand, and grinning ferociously, "are the corrals prepared, and
have you got my branding-irons ready? You see I've rounded her up."

The little man grinned worse than ever, and appeared to be in imminent
peril of extending his torn mouth into the region of his ear. Diane
listened to the horrible suggestion without misgiving, merely
remarking in true wifely fashion--

"Don't be absurd, Jack!"

At which Fyles smiled with appreciation. Then he coughed to bring them
to seriousness, and produced an official envelope from his tunic
pocket.

"I've just brought you the verdict on your property, Miss Marbolt," he
said deliberately. "Shall I read it to you, or would you----?"

"Never mind the reading," said Diane impulsively. "Tell me the
contents."

"Well, I confess it's better so. The legal terms are confusing," said
the officer emphatically. "You can read them later. I don't guess the
government could have acted better by you than they've done. The
property,"--he was careful to avoid the rancher's name--"the propert