e you and Kate of yours. Jim's a preacher, and the best
fellow--oh! I cared a lot for Jim."

"Then, why did you leave him?"

"I was tired of Williamsburg--I quarreled with a fellow, and hurt
him. Besides, I wanted to see the West; I'd like to hunt deer and
bear and fight Indians. Oh, I'm not much good."

"Was Jim the only one you cared for?" asked Nell, smiling. She was
surprised to find him grave.

"Yes, except my horse and dog, and I had to leave them behind,"
answered Joe, bowing his head a little.

"You'd like to be Jim because he's a preacher, and could help uncle
convert the Indians?"

"Yes, partly that, but mostly because--somehow--something you've
said or done has made me care for you in a different way, and I'd
like to be worthy of you."

"I don't think I can believe it, when you say you are 'no good,'"
she replied.

"Nell," he cried, and suddenly grasped her hand.

She wrenched herself free, and leaped away from him. Her face was
bright now, and the promise of smiles was made good.

"Behave yourself, sir." She tossed her head with a familiar backward
motion to throw the chestnut hair from her face, and looked at him
with eyes veiled slightly under their lashes. "You will go with Kate
and me?"

Before he could answer, a cry from some one on the plain below
attracted their attention. They turned and saw another wagon-train
pulling into the settlement. The children were shooting and running
alongside the weary oxen; men and women went forward expectantly.

"That must be the train uncle expected. Let us go down," said Nell.

Joe did not answer; but followed her down the path. When they gained
a clump of willows near the cabins he bent forward and took her
hand. She saw the reckless gleam in his eyes.

"Don't. They'll see," she whispered.

"If that's the only reason you have, I reckon I don't care," said
Joe.

"What do you mean? I didn't say--I didn't tell--oh! let me go!"
implored Nell.

She tried to release the hand Joe had grasped in his broad palm, but
in vain; the more she struggled the firmer was his hold. A frown
wrinkled her brow and her eyes sparkled with spirit. She saw the
fur-trader's wife looking out of the window, and remembered laughing
and telling the good woman she did not like this young man; it was,
perhaps, because she feared those sharp eyes that she resented his
audacity. She opened her mouth to rebuke him; but no words came. Joe
had bent his head and softly closed her