ent of his lips. All the rest of his
face was lost in shadow. As he spoke she sometimes lost his meaning
and the stir of his lips became a nameless gibbering. The grey gloom
settled more deeply round the room and over her heart while he talked.
He explained how the difference had risen between the tall stranger
and Whistling Dan. How Dan had been insulted time and again and borne
it with a sort of childish stupidity. How finally the blow had been
struck. How Dan had crouched on the floor, laughing, and how a yellow
light gathered in his eyes.

At that, her mind went blank. When her thoughts returned she stood
alone in the room. The clatter of Morgan's galloping horse died
swiftly away down the road. She turned to Dan. Black Bart was crouched
at watch beside him. She kneeled again--lowered her head--heard the
faint but steady breathing. He seemed infinitely young--infinitely
weak and helpless. The whiteness of the bandage stared up at her like
an eye through the deepening gloom. All the mother in her nature came
to her eyes in tears.

CHAPTER VIII

RED WRITING

He stirred.

"Dan--dear!"

"My head," he muttered, "it sort of aches, Kate, as if--"

He was silent and she knew that he remembered.

"You're all right now, honey. I've come here to take care of you--I
won't leave you. Poor Dan!"

"How did you know?" he asked, the words trailing.

"Black Bart came for me."

"Good ol' Bart!"

The great wolf slunk closer, and licked the outstretched hand.

"Why, Kate, I'm on the floor and it's dark. Am I still in Morgan's
place? Yes, I begin to see clearer."

He made an effort to rise, but she pressed him back.

"If you try to move right away you may get a fever. I'm going back
to the house, and I'll bring you down some blankets. Morgan says you
shouldn't attempt to move for several hours. He says you've lost a
great deal of blood and that you mustn't make any effort or ride a
horse till tomorrow."

Dan relaxed with a sigh.

"Kate."

"Yes, honey."

Her hand travelled lightly as blown snow across his forehead. He
caught it and pressed the coolness against his cheek.

"I feel as if I'd sort of been through a fire. I seem to be still
seein' red."

"Dan, it makes me feel as if I never knew you! Now you must forget all
that has happened. Promise me you will!"

He was silent for a moment and then he sighed again.

"Maybe I can, Kate. Which I feel, though, as if there was somethin'
inside me writ--