hat I was
mistaken. "I need none," she repeated, "all has been explained."

"Explained! How?" I inquired, taken by surprise at the unexpected
declaration. "Wa-ka-ra has told me all."

"What!--of Su-wa-nee?" A gesture of assent was the answer. "I am glad
of this. But Wa-ka-ra! how knew he the circumstance?"

"Partly from the Mexican to whom your people have communicated them--
partly from the captive Arapahoes. Enough--I am satisfied."

"And you forgive Wingrove?"

"Forgiveness now lies upon his side. I have not only wronged him by my
suspicions, but I have reviled him. I deserve his contempt, _I_ can
scarcely hope to be forgiven."

Light had broken upon me--bright light it was for Wingrove! The
suspicious _duetto_ with the Utah chief was explained. Its innocence
was made further manifest, by what came under my eyes at the moment. On
the arm that was raised in gesture, I observed a strip of cotton wound
round it above the wrist. A spot of blood appeared through the rag!

"Ha! you are wounded?" said I, noticing the bandage. "It is nothing--
merely a scratch made by the point of the knife. Wa-ka-ra has bound it
up. It still bleeds a little, but it is nothing." It was the _role_ of
the surgeon, then, the chief had been playing when seen in that
ambiguous attitude! More light for Wingrove!

"What a fiend!" I said, my reflection directed towards Su-wa-nee. "She
deserved death!"

"Ah--the unfortunate woman! hers has been a terrible fate; and whether
she deserved it or not, I cannot help feeling pity for her. I would to
God it had been otherwise; but this faithful companion saw the attempt
upon my life; and when any one attacks me, nothing can restrain him. It
is not the first time he has protected me from an enemy. Ah me! mine
has been a life of sad incidents--at least the last six months of it."

I essayed to rescue her from these gloomy reflections. I foresaw the
termination of her troubles. Their end was near. Words of cheer were
easily spoken. I could promise her the forgiveness of her lover: since
I knew how freely and promptly that would be obtained.

"Ah, Marian," I said, "a bright future is before you. Would that I
could say as much for myself--for your sister Lilian!"

"Ha!" exclaimed she, suddenly excited to an extreme point of interest,
"tell me of my sister! You promised to do so? Surely _she_ is not in
danger?"

I proceeded to reveal everything--my own history--my firs