ll remember," Angus said, "and I will do as I please. If your sons
try to make your words good they will find a rough piece of road."

He watched Godfrey French drive away, and turned back to his work. But
presently he gave it up, sat down and stared at vacancy. For an hour he
sat, and was aroused from his brown study by Jean.

"I've called and called you," she told him.

"For what?"

"For supper, of course. Heavens, Angus, what's wrong that you forget
your meals?"

He did not answer for a moment.

"I have been making up my mind about something."

"About what?"

"Just something I am going to do. I will tell you later."

He ate supper, and immediately saddled Chief and rode away in the
direction of Faith Winton's ranch.

Faith listened in amazement as he told her of the high price her father
had paid; of the abortive sale and his discovery that the land was
non-irrigable; and finally of French's request that he should advise her
to sell.

"But why didn't you tell me these things before?"

"I could not very well tell you while you were under his roof."

"No, I suppose not. You are sure of what you say--that the land could
have been bought for so much less then, and that I can't get water on it
now?"

"Absolutely."

"Then why does he want to buy the ranch now?"

"I wish I knew."

"I am going to find out before I sell it. He lied about Blake, and I
don't believe he just wants to take it off my hands. There is some other
reason."

"I think so myself, but I don't know what it is. There is something else
though. We had a few hard words, and the upshot of the whole thing was
that he forbade me to have anything to do with him or his. I suppose he
has that right. But also he forbade me to come here."

The girl stared at him, amazed.

"Is he crazy? He has no right--"

"So I told him."

"And you will always be welcome, while the ranch is mine, or beneath any
roof that is mine."

"Thank you," he said simply.

"But this is beyond everything!" she flamed indignantly. "I am not a
child. I make my own friends. I will tell him--"

"He is an old man. Pay no attention to it. I am sorry, now, that I said
to him what I did."

"What did you quarrel about? Tell me!"

"About the whole thing, I think."

"Then it was all on my account. From first to last, I've made trouble
for you. I am sorry."

"You needn't be. All the trouble you have made me is a joy."

"Why--Angus!" The color rose in the girl's cheeks