shing her cool palm. "How is Mrs.
Purnell? Better?"

"Oh, yes, I think so. You're better, aren't you, mother?" she asked, as
they entered the cozy little living-room, where the temperature was in
pleasant contrast to the outer heat. "The air up here does you good,
doesn't it?"

Mrs. Purnell, a dispirited little person, admitted that she felt very
well indeed, and seemed cheered at the sight of Wade, who greeted her
deferentially but with easy geniality. She liked him for his
wholesomeness, and she frequently declared that he was worth all the
doctors in the country because of the impression of health and optimism
which he bore with him. But she was aware that Dorothy liked him, too,
and so presently made an excuse to leave the two young people together.

"Now, you may tell me all about what's worrying you," the girl said,
seating herself across from Wade. "Something is. You can't keep the
signs from me."

"Good girl!" His voice held a suggestion of tenderness, as he rolled and
lighted a cigarette, in the home-like privilege which they allowed him
there. "That's your way, always. No matter who's in trouble, you are
ready to hasten to the rescue."

"Oh--," she deprecatingly began, with a trace of violet showing in her
eyes, which meant a great deal more than words.

"No wonder every man in the valley considers himself your own, especial
knight."

"I thought perhaps I could help you," she said briskly, to cover her
sentimental moment. "But that was foolish of me, too, wasn't it? The
idea of any one helping _you_."

"I'm likely to need all my friends soon, Dorothy," Wade answered
soberly. "I came in to-day to see Race Moran. There's a big band of
sheep on our upper range, and Jensen, who has charge of them, admitted
to me this morning that Moran is behind him."

"Goodness, more sheep! Wherever do they come from?"

"I don't know where they come from, but they can't stay where they are
unless I go out of business, that's certain." In a few words, he
explained to her the significance of the movement, and told her of his
talk with Moran. "I've no use for the man," he concluded, "and if it
comes to a showdown between us, he need expect no sympathy. I've held
back as long as I can. I understand better than he does what the crack
of the first rifle will lead to."

"You have not liked him since you found that he took that snapshot of
me," she said whimsically. "I didn't mind, but I can't imagine what he
wanted it for