d knows I
have no suspicions of Wade. I have no clear ideas at all. But I do know
that for you he would not stop at anything. He loves you as much as I
do, only differently. Such power a pale, sweet-faced girl has over the
lives of men!

"Good-by for this time.

"Faithfully,
"WILSON."

"January 10th.

"DEAR WILSON,--In every letter I tell you I'm better! Why, pretty soon
there'll be nothing left to say about my health. I've been up and around
now for days, but only lately have I begun to gain. Since Jack has been
away I'm getting fat. I eat, and that's one reason I suppose. Then I
move around more.

"You ask me to tell you all I do. Goodness! I couldn't and I wouldn't.
You are getting mighty bossy since you're able to hobble around, as you
call it. But you can't boss _me!_ However, I'll be nice and tell you a
little. I don't work very much. I've helped dad with his accounts, all
so hopelessly muddled since he let Jack keep the books. I read a good
deal. Your letters are worn out! Then, when it snows, I sit by the
window and watch. I love to see the snowflakes fall, so fleecy and white
and soft! But I don't like the snowy world after the storm has passed. I
shiver and hug the fire. I must have Indian in me. On moonlit nights to
look out at Old White Slides, so cold and icy and grand, and over the
white hills and ranges, makes me shudder. I don't know why. It's all
beautiful. But it seems to me like death.... Well, I sit idly a lot and
think of you and how terribly big my love has grown, and ... but that's
all about that!

"As you know, Jack has been gone since before New Year's Day. He said he
was going to Kremmling. But dad heard he went to Elgeria. Well, I didn't
tell you that dad and Jack quarreled over money. Jack kept up his good
behavior for so long that I actually believed he'd changed for the
better. He kept at me, not so much on the marriage question, but to love
him. Wilson, he nearly drove me frantic with his lovemaking. Finally I
got mad and I pitched into him. Oh, I convinced him! Then he came back
to his own self again. Like a flash he was Buster Jack once more. "You
can go to hell!" he yelled at me. And such a look!... Well, he went out,
and that's when he quarreled with dad. It was about money. I couldn't
help but hear some of it. I don't know whether or not dad gave Jack
money, but I think he didn't. Anyway, Jack went.

"Dad was all right for a few days. Really, he seemed ni