"I'm not believin' that till I know," replied the hunter, gloomily. "But
I'm afraid of him.... I've known bad men to change. There's a grain of
good in all men--somethin' divine. An' it comes out now an' then. Men
rise on steppin'-stones of their dead selves to higher things!... This
is Belllounds's chance for the good in him. If it's not there he will do
as you say. If it is--that scare he had will be the turnin'-point in his
life. I'm hopin', but I'm afraid."

"Ben, you wait and see," said Moore, earnestly. "Heaven knows I'm not
one to lose hope for my fellowmen--hope for the higher things you've
taught me.... But human nature is human nature. Jack _can't_ give Collie
up, just the same as I _can't_. That's self-preservation as well
as love."

* * * * *

The day came when Wade walked down to White Slides. There seemed to be a
fever in his blood, which he tried to convince himself was a result of
his wounds instead of the condition of his mind. It was Sunday, a day of
sunshine and squall, of azure-blue sky, and great, sailing, purple
clouds. The sage of the hills glistened and there was a sweetness in
the air.

The cowboys made much of Wade. But the old rancher, seeing him from the
porch, abruptly went into the house. No one but Wade noticed this
omission of courtesy. Directly, Columbine appeared, waving her hand, and
running to meet him.

"Dad saw you. He told me to come out and excuse him.... Oh, Ben, I'm so
happy to see you! You don't look hurt at all. What a fight you had!...
Oh, I was sick! But let me forget that.... How are you? And how's Wils?"

Thus she babbled until out of breath.

"Collie, it's sure good to see you," said Wade, feeling the old, rich
thrill at her presence. "I'm comin' on tolerable well. I wasn't bad
hurt, but I bled a lot. An' I reckon I'm older 'n I was when packin'
gun-shot holes was nothin'. Every year tells. Only a man doesn't know
till after.... An' how are you, Collie?"

Her blue eyes clouded, and a tremor changed the expression of her sweet
lips.

"I am unhappy, Ben," she said. "But what could we expect? It might be
worse. For instance, you might have been killed. I've much to be
thankful for."

"I reckon so. We all have.... I fetched a message from Wils, but I
oughtn't tell it."

"Please do," she begged, wistfully.

"Well, Wils says, tell Collie I love her every day more an' more, an'
that my love keeps up my courage an' my belief in God,