I sized you up all right at the
start. I says to myself: 'He don't look like a feller to run a bluff,' and
I says: 'Young Morganstein ain't the sort to pick up any second-hand
outfit,' but I thought all along you was his man."

"I see." The humor played softly in Tisdale's face. "I see. But you
thought wrong."

Lighter's lids narrowed again skeptically. "Those letters you showed to
identify yourself cinched it. Why, one was signed by his brother-in-law,
Miles Feversham, and your draft was on the Seattle National where the
Morgansteins bank. But it's all right; I got my price." He nudged Tisdale
slyly and, laughing again, moved to the heads of the team. "Now, sir,
watch your chance; they're chain lightning the minute you touch the seat."

Tisdale was ready. At last he felt the tug of the lines in his grasp, the
hot wind stung his face, and he was speeding back in the direction of the
station. The girl came to the edge of the platform as he approached, and
while the solitary man from the freight office caught the first
opportunity to store the baggage under the seat, and the second to lift in
the basket of samples from Bailey's orchard, she tied her veil more snugly
under her chin and stood measuring the team with the sparkles breaking in
her eyes. Then she gathered her skirts in one hand and laid the other
lightly on the seat.

"Don't try to help me," she said breathlessly. "Just hold them." And the
next instant she was up beside him, and her laugh fluted in exhilaration
as they whirled away.

Kittitas fell far behind. They were racing directly across the seven miles
of level towards a pass in a lofty range that marked the road to
Wenatchee. Far to the left lines of poplars showed where the irrigating
canals below Ellensburg watered the plain, and on the right the dunes and
bluffs of the unseen Columbia broke the horizon. But the girl was watching
Tisdale's management of the horses. "What beauties!" she exclaimed. "And
Nip and Tuck!" Her lips rippled merriment. "How well named. Wait, be--
care--ful--they are going to take that ho-le. Oh, would you mind giving
those reins to me?"

"I wish I could." He shook his head, while the amusement played gently at
the corners of his mouth. "I know all about a team of huskies, and it
doesn't make much difference what I have under a saddle, but these kittens
in harness are rather out of my line."

"Then trust yourself to me; please do. I used to drive just such a pair."

"Oh