or instance, was
without a peer in spinning graceful phrases; but he spun little else.

"But I don't understand why he should send it to you," Wade said, in a
low tone, as the Senator turned to bend over an open traveling bag on a
nearby chair. "Is he--do you--?" A slight rigor of jealousy seemed to
seize upon him, under the witchery of her slow smile.

"Oh, he's been writing to me, and I suppose he thought I'd be
interested. Of course, I was." She leaned toward him a trifle, a mere
swaying of her body, like a lily in a breeze, and impulsively he placed
his big hand over hers.

"He'd better not--he'd better mind his own business!" he said grimly.

She laughed softly, tantalizingly, and being human, Wade kissed her;
the Senator being still busy with the contents of the bag.

Thus engaged, none of them heard a knock at the door, which finally
opened before Moran, who, even if he did not actually see the kiss,
could hardly have failed to suspect it from their embarrassed manner.
Helen felt sure from his annoyed expression that he had witnessed the
caress, and she was rather glad of it.

He exchanged a slightly stiff greeting with the rancher, and then while
Wade and Helen continued their talk, the agent spoke in a carefully
guarded undertone with his employer. The news he brought, whatever it
was, seemed significant, for the Senator appeared worried and presently
turned to Wade.

"You'll not mind if I go over to the office with Moran, Gordon?"

"Certainly not, Senator. Don't let me interrupt you. But what's the use
of us staying indoors, Helen? The sun has turned now and it's cooler
out. I'll show you something of our little metropolis. Or, I tell you
what we'll do! Why not let me take you over and introduce you to the
only woman you're likely to find congenial in this neighborhood? She'll
be glad to meet you, I know."

In any other company, Miss Rexhill would probably have resented an
invitation to call upon a rival, even apart from the ethics of social
calls, but not before Race Moran. Before him, she would not humble Wade
in the least degree, if only because to do so would reflect upon her
own preference between the men. She could only pretend to welcome the
prospect of going to see Miss Purnell, and she played her part well.

"We may as well stay here now," Rexhill said, when the two young people
had left the room. "When did all this happen?"

"I just got word of it," Moran answered, a bit excitedly. "Don't