any boy and girl ever
before so need a friend? I need that something he instils in me. If I
lost it I'd be miserable. And, Wilson, I'm such a coward. I'm so weak. I
have such sinkings and burnings and tossings. Oh, I'm only a woman! But
I'll die fighting. That is what Ben Wade instils into me. While there
was life this strange little man would never give up hope. He makes me
feel that he knows more than he tells. Through him I shall get the
strength to live up to my convictions, to be true to myself, to be
faithful to you.

"With love,
"COLUMBINE."

"December 3d.

"DEAREST COLLIE,--Your last was only a note, and I told Wade if he
didn't fetch more than a note next time there would be trouble round
this bunk-house. And then he brought your letter!

"I'm feeling exuberant (I think it's that) to-day. First time I've been
up. Collie, I'm able to get up! WHOOPEE! I walk with a crutch, and don't
dare put my foot down. Not that it hurts, but that my boss would have a
fit! I'm glad you've stopped heaping praise upon our friend Ben.
Because now I can get over my jealousy and be half decent. He's the
whitest man I ever knew.

"Now listen, Collie. I've had ideas lately. I've begun to eat and get
stronger and to feel good. The pain is gone. And to think I swore to
Wade I'd forgive Jack Belllounds and never hate him--or kill him!...
There, that's letting the cat out of the bag, and it's done now. But no
matter. The truth is, though, that I never could stop hating Jack while
the pain lasted. Now I could shake hands with him and smile at him.

"Well, as I said, I've ideas. They're great. Grab hold of the pommel now
so you won't get thrown! I'm going to pitch!... When I get well--able to
ride and go about, which Ben says will be in the spring--I'll send for
my father to come to White Slides. He'll come. Then I'll tell him
everything, and if Ben and I can't win him to our side then _you_ can.
Father never could resist you. When he has fallen in love with you,
which won't take long, then we'll go to old Bill Belllounds and lay the
case before him. Are you still in the saddle, Collie?

"Well, if you are, be sure to get a better hold, for I'm going to run
some next. Ben Wade approved of my plan. He says Belllounds can be
brought to reason. He says he can make him see the ruin for everybody
were you forced to marry Jack. Strange, Collie, how Wade included
himself with, you, me, Jack, and the old man, in the fore