d suddenly tumbled over sideways, lying a white heap
on the rug at his feet.

CHAPTER XX

IN SEARCH OF HERSELF

As his train slowed down through the darkness and stopped at the
snow-choked station, Duane, carrying suit-case, satchel, and fur coat,
swung himself off the icy steps of the smoker and stood for a moment on
the platform in the yellow glare of the railway lanterns, looking about
him.

Sleigh-bells sounded near--chiming through the still, cold air; he
caught sight of two shadowy restive horses, a gaily plumed sleigh, and,
at the same moment, the driver leaned sideways from her buffalo-robed
seat, calling out to him by name.

"Why, Kathleen!" he exclaimed, hastening forward. "Did you really drive
down here all alone to meet me?"

She bent over and saluted him, demure, amused, bewitchingly pretty in
her Isabella bear furs:

"I really did, Duane, without even a groom, so we could talk about
everything and anything all the way home. Give your checks to the
station agent--there he is!--Oh, Mr. Whitley, would you mind sending up
Mr. Mallett's trunks to-night? Thank you _so_ much. Now, Duane,
dear----"

He tossed suit-case and satchel into the sleigh, put on his fur coat,
and climbing up beside Kathleen, burrowed into the robes.

"I tell you what," he said seriously, "you're getting to be a howling
beauty; not just an ordinary beauty, but a miracle. Do you mind if I
kiss you again?"

"Not after that," she said, presenting him a fresh-curved cheek tinted
with rose, and snowy cold. Then, laughing, she swung the impatient
horses to the left; a jingling shower of golden bell-notes followed; and
they were off through the starlight, tearing northward across the snow.

"Duane!" she said, pulling the young horses down into a swift, swinging
trot, "_what_ do you think! Geraldine doesn't know you're coming!"

"Why not?" he asked, surprised. "I telegraphed."

"Yes, but she's been on the mountain with old Miller for three days.
Three of your letters are waiting for her; and then came your telegram,
and of course Scott and I thought we ought to open it."

"Of course. But what on earth sent Geraldine up the Golden Dome in the
dead of winter?"

Kathleen shook her pretty head:

"She's turned into the most uncontrollable sporting proposition you ever
heard of! She's up there at Lynx Peak camp, with her rifle, and old
Miller. They're after that big boar--the biggest, horridest thing in the
whole forest. I