he elegance with which he played the
role. That Garman was interested in the crudities of business seemed
an improbability; that he was connected with things dark and hidden, a
thought to ridicule. His purpose in life just then was that of the
luxurious idler, to escort two ladies of his class for a leisurely
ride, to serve them gracefully as their chevalier. And yet, beneath
the silken coat of manners the tiger force of him was evident. From
where he stood Payne could feel the hypnotic power of the man's mere
presence.

As he looked at the girl he saw that she too had felt it--saw that it
was Garman's nearness that wrought the change in her. She seemed under
an influence which subdued yet excited her as might some subtle drug.
Her normally calm, frank eyes were heavy and mysterious with a drowsy
languor. Her tall, vibrant figure likewise seemed to droop drowsily,
the budding lines of her body tremulous with young life and womanhood.
Her hands hung languidly upon the saddle horn. Only her rich young
lips were firm and straight, as if her mind and will power were
fighting resolutely against the desire to yield to the subtle influence
which was steeping her through and through.

"Are you fencing off Flower Prairie--that garden of dreams come true?"
she said with a careless laugh.

"Yes," said Payne, "but I'm going to put a gate in there."

"Kind of him, isn't it?" said Mrs. Livingstone, turning to Garman with
the empty, affected laugh of her kind. "Shall we be permitted to
continue our rides to Flower Prairie? Are persons permitted to place
such obstructions in such places?"

Garman smoothed his tawny mustache, playfully bowing to her, as if
loathe to interrupt with a reply.

Payne was breathing hard.

"Yes; they are," he said hoarsely, and checked himself.

"Ye-es," purred Garman. "If they own the land."

Payne turned on him.

"Where's Willy Tiger?" he snapped out. "What did you do to him?"

"Come, Annette," said Mrs. Livingstone. "It is too warm to stand
still. We will ride back slowly."

"Aunty----" began the girl, and then, as Garman moved his horse toward
her, she bowed her head and pulled her mount away from Garman's. "Very
well, aunty," she said nervously, and there was relief in her bearing
as she drew away from Garman.

This time, as she cantered away she looked back. And in her eyes was a
look of appeal, and a promise that she would come again.

XX

"How about Willy High