The young man knelt by the side of the sleeping girl and imprinted a
kiss upon the fresh, unpolluted lips, which caused the sleeping beauty
to smile in her dreams.

A moment later, however, she opened her eyes and sprung to her feet
with a startled scream.

"Oh, Ned!" she gasped, trembling, as she saw him, "how you frightened
me. I had a dream--oh, such a sweet dream! and I thought _he_ came and
kissed--"

Suddenly did she stop as, for the first time, her penetrating blue
eyes rested upon Harry Blackburn.

A moment she gazed at him as in a sort of fascination; then, with a
low cry, began to retreat, growing deathly pale. Ned Harris stepped
quickly forward and supported her on his arm.

"Be calm, Anita," he said, in a gentle, reassuring tone. "This is a
young gentleman whom I have brought here to our home for a few days
until it will be safe for him to be seen in Deadwood. Mr. Redburn, I
make you acquainted with Anita."

A courteous bow from Redburn, a slight inclination of Anita's head,
and the introduction was made. A moment later the three entered the
cabin, a model of neatness and primitive luxury.

"How is it that you are up so early, dear?" young Harris asked, as he
unbuckled his belt and hung it upon a peg in the wall. "You are rarely
as spry, eh?"

"Indeed! I have not been to bed at all," replied the girl, a weary
smile wreathing her lips. "I was nervous, and feared something was
going to happen, so I staid up."

"Your old plea--the presentiment of coming danger, I suppose," and the
youth laughed, gayly. "But you need not fear. No one will invade our
little Paradise, right away. What is your opinion of it, Redburn?"

"I should say not. I think this little mountain retreat is without
equal," replied Harry, with enthusiasm. "The only wonder is, how did
you ever stumble into such a delightful place."

"Of that I will perhaps tell you, another time," said Harris,
musingly.

Day soon dawned over the mountains, and the early morning sunlight
fell with charming effect into the little "pocket," with its countless
thousands of odorous flowers, and the little ivy-clad cabin nestling
down among them all.

Sweet, sad-faced Anita prepared a sumptuous morning repast out of
antelope-steak and the eggs of wild birds, with dainty side dishes of
late summer berries, and a large luscious melon which had been grown
on a cultivated patch, contiguous to the cabin.

Both Harris and his guest did ample justice to t