s rose immeasurably as she sent
the strays scampering back to the others and returned to the small
warmth which the sunny side of the rock afforded.

Kate was leaning against the boulder conjecturing as to whether it was
Mormon Joe or the herder who had arrived, when Lingle rode around the
side of the hill and came upon her suddenly.

Immediately the deputy's face set in lines of sternness. He had been
rehearsing his part in the dialogue which was to follow and believed he
had it sufficiently well in hand to play the act admirably. This murder
was the first big case he had had since being appointed deputy. It was a
great opportunity and he meant to make the most of it, for if handled
creditably it might prove a stepping-stone to the sheriff's office. The
element of surprise he knew was most effective and he was counting upon
it to obtain valuable admissions. In the scene, as he visualized it
while riding, he was to advance gimlet-eyed, throw open his coat and
confront her with the badge which made the guilty tremble.

"Guess you know what I'm here for, Madam," he was to say significantly
and harshly.

But like most prearranged things in life it all went differently. When
he was close enough to see well his jaw dropped automatically. There was
no more resemblance between the girl who straightened up and smiled upon
him and the hard-featured woman he had pictured as "Mormon Joe's Kate,"
than there was between himself and the horse he was riding.

Younger by years than he had anticipated, she radiated wholesomeness,
simple friendliness and candor. A strand of soft hair had slipped from
beneath her cap and lay upon a cheek that was a vivid pink in the cold
atmosphere; she had the clear skin of perfect health and her lips were
red with the blood that was close to the surface, while the gray eyes
with which she regarded him were frank and steady as she gazed at him
inquiringly.

Lingle tugged at his hat brim instinctively.

"I thought you were a coyote when the sheep began running," she said,
good-naturedly. "They've been bothering a lot this cold weather."

Lingle mumbled that he "presumed so."

"I suppose you are the new herder?"

"I came out with him," the deputy replied evasively.

"Didn't Uncle Joe come?" Kate's face fell in disappointment.

Lingle shifted his weight and looked elsewhere.

"He's in town yet," he answered.

Lingle knew instinctively that she thought Mormon Joe was drinking
heavily.

The