ad been ambitious, and now it was
Rosalind Benham. He fought off the bitter resentment that filled him and
raised his head, laughing, glossing over the hurt with savage humor.

"Well, I'm doing some good in the world, after all."

"Trev," Hester moved toward him again, "don't talk like that--it makes me
shiver. I've been through the fire, boy--we've both been through it. I
wasted myself on Harvey--you'll do the same with Rosalind Benham. Ten
years, boy--think of it! I've loved you for that long. Doesn't that make
you understand--"

"There's nothing quite so dead as a love that a man doesn't want to
revive," he said shortly; "do you understand that?"

She shuddered and paled, and a long silence came between them. The cold
dawn that was creeping over the land stole into the office with them and
found the fires of affection turned to the ashes of unwelcome memory. The
woman seemed to realize at last, for she gave a little shiver and looked
up at Trevison with a wan smile.

"I--I think I understand, Trev. Oh, I am _so_ sorry! But I am not going
away. I am going to stay in Manti, to be near you--if you want me. And you
will want me, some day." She went close to him. "Won't you kiss me--once,
Trev? For the sake of old times?"

"You'd better go," he said gruffly, turning his head. And then, as she
opened the door and stood upon the threshold, he stepped after her,
saying: "I'll get your horse."

"There's two of them," she laughed tremulously. "I came in a buckboard."

"Two, then," he said soberly as he followed her out. "And say--" He
turned, flushing. "You came at dusk, last night. I'm afraid I haven't been
exactly thoughtful. Wait--I'll rustle up something to eat."

"I--I couldn't touch it, thank you. Trev--" She started toward him
impulsively, but he turned his back grimly and went toward the corral.

Sunrise found Hester back at the Bar B. Jealous, hurt eyes had watched
from an upstairs window the approach of the buckboard--had watched the
Diamond K trail the greater part of the night. For, knowing of the absence
of women at the Diamond K, Rosalind had anticipated Hester's return the
previous evening--for the distance that separated the two ranches was not
more than two miles. But the girl's vigil had been unrewarded until now.
And when at last she saw the buckboard coming, scorn and rage, furious and
deep, seized her. Ah, it was bold, brazen, disgraceful!

But she forced herself to calmness as she went down sta