fore, forced by the intensity of her need, she had made small
account of convenances. But she acknowledged that a half truth had
nearly compassed destruction of her hopes and the ruin of a man; a liar
had taken advantage of an equivocal position. But now the whole truth
about her was clear. Her identity was known--her motives were beyond all
question. And there were no vindictive liars among those loyal followers
who had come storming down the river for the sake of her cause.

If she did what she had in her mind to do, what was it except the
confirmation of a pledge and the carrying out of a promise?

But when she looked appealingly up at Latisan he was steadfastly staring
past her. Her impulses were already galloping, but the instant prick of
pique was the final urge which made the impulses fairly run away.

She reached out and took Ward's hand and pressed it between her palms.

"If it's because I'm Lida Kennard instead of the table girl at Brophy's
tavern, you're foolish," she whispered, standing on tiptoe. "I gave you
my promise. But perhaps you think it isn't binding because there was no
seal, such as I put on that lawyer's paper down at the dam.
Well--then--here's the seal."

She flung her arms about his neck and kissed his cheek.

"Now let the winged word take flight through the region!" she told
herself. No man could misunderstand the declaration of that kiss!

When Latisan came to his senses sufficiently to move his muscles, she
avoided his groping arms and ran to the wagon. For a moment the big bays
crouched, expecting the whistling sweep of the whip, bending their necks
to watch the passenger climbing to her seat.

"Wait!" begged Latisan. He stumbled toward the wagon, staring at her,
tripped by the earth ridges to which he paid no heed.

"Yes!" she promised. And then in tones that were low and thrilling and
significant with honest pledge she said, "I'll wait for you--at home--at
home!"

Jeff obeyed her quick command and swung the whistling whip, and Latisan
stood gazing after her.

The men respected his stunned absorption in his thoughts. They went
scattering to their work. Felix walked with Vittum.

"Ba gor!" The French Canadian vented the ejaculation after taking a
deep breath. "When she say it to him--as she say it--it make goose flesh
wiggle all over maself!"

"As I have said!" Vittum was trudging along, his eyes on a big plug of
tobacco from which he was paring a slice. "As I have said!" He