d about by
the lariat rope, her mouth and chin hidden by the tightly drawn
bandanna, but her gaze, reflecting the flare of the pine knot, held so
much of welcome, of faith, of pride and courage, all sourced in
something deeper, far more wonderful, moving beneath the surface like a
well spring, that Sandy's heart swelled with glad emotion, knowing she
was unharmed, knowing that his coming was no surprise, however welcome.

He found himself trembling as he untied her bonds and took away the gag
from the mouth that lifted to his. She snuggled into his arms and, as
the torch sputtered out, leaving them in the darkness, save for the
luminous beams that stole down from where Grit whimpered in joyous
impatience, her hair showered down over both of them.

"Sandy. I knew you'd come in time!" she whispered.

He held her close and hard for a tense moment that gave all his world to
his embrace.

"Molly--girl," he said brokenly, his voice broken with passion.

Her hand crept up and a soft palm cupped about his chin. He kissed the
edge of it. He rose easily, still holding her and lifted her high to
where she could reach the vine, swinging up after her, Grit dancing a
three-legged reel of joy as they came up into the free air and the
moonlight.

Blaze greeted them in the corral. Molly mounted, and Sandy set Grit on
the saddle in front of her.

"Where's Pronto?" she asked.

He told her.

"I figger Sam an' the boys'll be erlong soon," he said. "They may meet
up with Pronto. Anyway, they'll likely bring Goldie fo' me. She's up.
An' Pronto'll be too tired fo' what I want him to do ter-night."

She sensed the change in his voice, intuitively guessed but, womanlike,
asked:

"What do you mean, Sandy? Aren't you coming home with me to Three Star.
If it wasn't so far I'd love to go back just like this, without meeting
anybody." She had taken off Sandy's Stetson and she ran fingers through
his hair, thrilling him to the intimacy of the caress. But, if there was
any plan in her actions, it did not deter him from his.

"Plimsoll's makin' fo' Nipple Peaks an' he's likely to git clear. Me, I
aim to head him off an' settle the account."

"Sandy." There was a plea in her voice that plucked at his heart
strings. "Don't spoil to-night. Please!"

"That ain't Molly Casey talkin'," said Sandy. "That's somethin' you must
have picked up back to Keith's."

"He didn't harm me, Sandy."

"He tried to."

Her hand slipped to his shoulder, t