ButforonceEllenseemedsingularlyunresponsivetothispanoramaofwildnessandgrandeur。Herearswerelikethoseofalisteningdeer，andhereyescontinuallyrevertedtotheopenplacesalongtheRim。
　　Atfirst，inherexcitement，timeflewby。Gradually，however，asthesunmovedwestward，shebegantoberestless。Thesoftthudofdroppingpinecones，therustlingofsquirrelsupanddowntheshaggy—barkedspruces，thecrackingofweatheredbitsofrock，thesecaughtherkeenearsmanytimesandbroughtheruperectandthrilling。Finallysheheardasoundwhichresembledthatofanunshodhoofonstone。Stealthilythenshetookherrifleandslippedbackthroughthepinethickettothespotshehadchosen。Thelittlepinesweresoclosetogetherthatshehadtocrawlbetweentheirtrunks。
　　Thegroundwascoveredwithasoftbedofpineneedles，brownandfragrant。Inherhurrysheprickedherunglovedhandonasharppineconeanddrewtheblood。Shesuckedthetinywound。"ShoreI’mwonderin’ifthat’sabadomen，"shemuttered，darklythoughtful。
　　Thensheresumedhersinuousapproachtotheedgeofthethicket，andpresentlyreachedit。
　　Ellenlayflatamomenttorecoverherbreath，thenraisedherselfonherelbows。ThroughanopeninginthefringeofbuckbrushshecouldplainlyseethepromontorywhereshehadstoodwithJeanIsbel，andalsotheapproachesbywhichhemightcome。Rathernervouslysherealizedthathercovertwashardlymorethanahundredfeetfromthepromontory。Itwasimperativethatshebeabsolutelysilent。
　　HereyessearchedtheopeningsalongtheRim。Thegrayformofadeercrossedoneofthese，andsheconcludedithadmadethesoundshehadheard。Thenshelaydownmorecomfortablyandwaited。
　　Resolutelysheheld，asmuchaspossible，tohersensorialperceptions。
　　ThemeaningofEllenJorthlyinginambushjusttoseeanIsbelwasaconundrumsherefusedtoponderinthepresent。Shewasdoingit，andthephysicalacthaditsfascination。Herears，attunedtoallthesoundsofthelonelyforest，caughtthemandarrangedthemaccordingtoherknowledgeofwoodcraft。
　　Alonghourpassedby。Thesunhadslantedtoapointhalfwaybetweenthezenithandthehorizon。SuddenlyathoughtconfrontedEllenJorth:
　　"He’snotcomin’，"shewhispered。Theinstantthatideapresenteditselfshefeltablanksenseofloss，avagueregret——somethingthatmusthavebeendisappointment。Unpreparedforthis，shewasheldbysurpriseforamoment，andthenshewasstunned。Herspirit，swiftandrebellious，hadnotimetoriseinherdefense。Shewasalonely，guilty，miserablegirl，tooweakforpridetouphold，toofluctuatingtoknowherrealself。Shestretchedthere，buryingherfaceinthepineneedles，diggingherfingersintothem，wantingnothingsomuchasthattheymighthideher。ThemomentwasincomprehensibletoEllen，andutterlyintolerable。Thesharppineneedles，piercingherwristsandcheeks，andherhotheavingbreast，seemedtogiveherexquisiterelief。
　　Theshrillsnortofahorsesoundednearathand。WithashockEllen’sbodystiffened。Thenshequiveredalittleandherfeelingsunderwentswiftchange。Cautiouslyandnoiselesslysheraisedherselfuponherelbowsandpeepedthroughtheopeninginthebrush。ShesawamantyingahorsetoabushsomewhatbackfromtheRim。Drawingariflefromitssaddlesheathhethrewitinthehollowofhisarmandwalkedtotheedgeoftheprecipice。HegazedawayacrosstheBasinandappearedlostincontemplationorthought。Thenheturnedtolookbackintotheforest，asifheexpectedsomeone。
　　Ellenrecognizedthelithefigure，thedarkfacesolikeanIndian’s。
　　ItwasIsbel。Hehadcome。Somehowhiscomingseemedwonderfulandterrible。Ellenshookassheleanedonherelbows。JeanIsbel，truetohisword，inspiteofherscorn，hadcomebacktoseeher。Thefactseemedmonstrous。Hewasanenemyofherfather。Longhadrangerumorbeenbandiedfromliptolip——oldGassIsbelhadsentforhisIndiansontofighttheJorths。JeanIsbel——sonofaTexan——unerringshot——
　　peerlesstracker——abadanddangerousman！ThenthereflashedoverEllenaburningthought——ifitweretrue，ifhewasanenemyofherfather’s，ifafightbetweenJorthandIsbelwasinevitable，sheoughttokillthisJeanIsbelrightthereinhistracksasheboldlyandconfidentlywaitedforher。Foolhewastothinkshewouldcome。
　　Ellensankdownanddroppedherheaduntilthestrangetremorofherarmsceased。Thatdarkandgrimflashofthoughtretreated。Shehadnotcometomurderamanfromambush，butonlytowatchhim，totrytoseewhathemeant，whathethought，toallayastrangecuriosity。
　　Afterawhileshelookedagain。IsbelwassittingonanupheavedsectionoftheRim，inacomfortablepositionfromwhichhecouldwatchtheopeningsintheforestandgazeaswellacrossthewestcurveoftheBasintotheMazatzals。Hehadcomposedhimselftowait。
　　Hewascladinabuckskinsuit，rathernew，anditcertainlyshowedofftoadvantage，comparedwiththeraggedandsoiledapparelEllenremembered。Hedidnotlooksolarge。Ellenwasusedtothelong，lean，rangyArizoniansandTexans。Thismanwasbuiltdifferently。
　　Hehadthewidestshouldersofanymanshehadeverseen，andtheymadehimappearrathershort。Buthislithe，powerfullimbsprovedhewasnotshort。Wheneverhemovedthemusclesrippled。Hishandswereclaspedroundaknee——brown，sinewyhands，verybroad，andfittingthethickmuscularwrists。Hiscollarwasopen，andhedidnotwearascarf，asdidthemenEllenknew。ThenherintensecuriosityatlastbroughthersteadygazetoJeanIsbel’sheadandface。Heworeacap，evidentlyofsomethinfur。Hishairwasstraightandshort，andincoloradeadravenblack。Hiscomplexionwasdark，cleartan，withnotraceofred。Hedidnothavetheprominentcheekbonesnorthehigh—bridgednoseusualwithwhitemenwhowerepartIndian。StillhehadtheIndianlook。Ellencaughtthatinthedark，intent，piercingeyes，inthewide，level，thoughtfulbrows，inthesternimpassivenessofhissmoothface。Hehadastraight，sharp—cutprofile。
　　Ellenwhisperedtoherself:"Isawhimrighttheotherday。Only，I’dnotadmitit……Thefinest—lookin’manIeversawinmylifeisadamnedIsbel！WasthatwhatIcomeoutheahfor？"
　　Sheloweredherselfoncemoreand，foldingherarmsunderherbreast，shereclinedcomfortablyonthem，andsearchedoutasmallerpeepholefromwhichshecouldspyuponIsbel。Andasshewatchedhimthenewandperplexingsideofhermindwaxedbusier。Whyhadhecomeback？
　　Whatdidhewantofher？Acquaintance，friendship，wasimpossibleforthem。Hehadbeenrespectful，deferentialtowardher，inawaythathadstrangelypleased，untilthesurprisingmomentwhenhehadkissedher。Thathadonlydisruptedherratherdreamypleasureinasituationshehadnotexperiencedbefore。Allthemenshehadmetinthiswildcountrywereroughandbold;mostofthemhadwantedtomarryher，and，failingthat，theyhadpersistedinamorousattentionsnotparticularlyflatteringorhonorable。Theywereabadlot。Andcontactwiththemhaddulledsomeofhersensibilities。ButthisJeanIsbelhadseemedagentleman。Shestruggledtobefair，tryingtoforgetherantipathy，asmuchtounderstandherselfastogivehimduecredit。True，hehadkissedher，crudelyandforcibly。Butthatkisshadnotbeenaninsult。Ellen’sfinerfeelingforcedhertobelievethis。Sherememberedthehonestamazeandshameandcontritionwithwhichbehadfacedher，tryingawkwardlytoexplainhisboldact。
　　Likewisesherecalledthesubtleswiftchangeinhimatherwords，"Oh，I’vebeenkissedbefore！"Shewasgladshehadsaidthat。Still——wassheglad，afterall？
　　Shewatchedhim。Everylittlewhileheshiftedhisgazefromthebluegulfbeneathhimtotheforest。Whenheturnedthusthesunshoneonhisfaceandshecaughtthepiercinggleamofhisdarkeyes。
　　Shesaw，too，thathewaslistening。Watchingandlisteningforher！
　　Ellenhadtostillatumultwithinher。Itmadeherfeelveryyoung，veryshy，verystrange。Allthewhileshehatedhimbecausehemanifestlyexpectedhertocome。Severaltimesheroseandwalkedalittlewayintothewoods。Thelasttimehelookedatthewesteringsunandshookhishead。Hisconfidencehadgone。Thenhesatandgazeddownintothevoid。ButEllenknewhedidnotseeanythingthere。HeseemedanimagecarvedinthestoneoftheRim，andhegaveEllenasingularimpressionoflonelinessandsadness。Washethinkingofthemiserablebattlehisfatherhadsummonedhimtolead——
　　ofwhatitwouldcost——ofitsuselesspainandhatred？Ellenseemedtodivinehisthoughts。Inthatmomentshesoftenedtowardhim，andinhersoulquiveredandstirredanintangiblesomethingthatwaslikepain，thatwastoodeepforherunderstanding。ButshefeltsorryforanIsbeluntiltheoldprideresurged。Whatifheadmiredher？Sherememberedhisinterest，thewonderandadmiration，thegrowinglightinhiseyes。Andithadnotbeenrepugnanttoheruntilhedisclosedhisname。"What’sinaname？"shemused，recallingpoetrylearnedinhergirlhood。"’Arosebyanyothernamewouldsmellassweet’……
　　He’sanIsbel——yethemightbesplendid——noble……Bah！he’snot——
　　andI’dhatehimanyhow。"I
　　AllatonceEllenfeltcoldshiversstealoverher。Isbel’spiercinggazewasdirectedstraightatherhidingplace。Herheartstoppedbeating。Ifhediscoveredherthereshefeltthatshewoulddieofshame。Thenshebecameawarethatabluejaywasscreechinginapineaboveher，andaredsquirrelsomewherenearwaschatteringhisshrillannoyance。Thesetwodenizensofthewoodscouldbedependedupontoespythewariesthunterandmakeknownhispresencetotheirkind。Ellenhadamomentofmorethandread。Thiskeen—eyed，keen—earedIndianmightseerightthroughherbrushycovert，mighthearthethrobbingofherheart。Itrelievedherimmeasurablytoseehimturnawayandtaketopacingthepromontory，withhisheadbowedandhishandsbehindhisback。Hehadstoppedlookingoffintotheforest。Presentlyhewheeledtothewest，andbythelightuponhisfaceEllensawthatthetimewasnearsunset。Turkeyswerebeginningtogobblebackontheridge。
　　Isbelwalkedtohishorseandappearedtobeuntyingsomethingfromthebackofhissaddle。WhenhecamebackEllensawthathecarriedasmallpackageapparentlywrappedinpaper。WiththisunderhisarmhestrodeoffinthedirectionofEllen’scampandsoondisappearedintheforest。
　　ForalittlewhileEllenlaythereinbewilderment。Ifshehadmadeconjecturesbefore，theywerenowmultiplied。WherewasJeanIsbelgoing？Ellensatupsuddenly。"Well，shorethisheahbeatsme，"
　　shesaid。"Whatdidhehaveinthatpackage？Whatwashegoin’
　　todowithit？"
　　Ittooknolittlewillpowertoholdhertherewhenshewantedtostealafterhimthroughthewoodsandfindoutwhathemeant。Buthisreputationinfluencedevenherandsherefusedtopithercunningintheforestagainsthis。Itwouldbebettertowaituntilhereturnedtohishorse。Thusdecided，shelaybackagaininhercovertandgavehermindovertoponderingcuriosity。SoonerthansheexpectedsheespiedIsbelapproachingthroughtheforest，emptyhanded。Hehadnottakenhisrifle。Ellenavertedherglanceamomentandthrilledtoseetherifleleaningagainstarock。VerilyJeanIsbelhadbeenfarremovedfromhostileintentthatday。Shewatchedhimstrideswiftlyuptohishorse，untiethehalter，andmount。Ellenhadanimpressionofhisarrowlikestraightfigure，andsinuousgraceandease。Thenhelookedbackatthepromontory，asiftofixapictureofitinhismind，androdeawayalongtheRim。Shewatchedhimoutofsight。Whatailedher？
　　Somethingwaswrongwithher，butsherecognizedonlyrelief。
　　WhenIsbelhadbeengonelongenoughtoassureEllenthatshemightsafelyventureforthshecrawledthroughthepinethickettotheRimontheothersideofthepoint。ThesunwassettingbehindtheBlackRange，sheddingagoldengloryovertheBasin。WestwardthezigzagRimreachedlikeastreameroffireintothesun。Thevastpromontoriesjuttedoutwithblazingbeaconlightsupontheirstone—walledfaces。
　　Deepdown，theBasinwasturningshadowydarkblue，goingtosleepforthenight。
　　Ellenbentswiftstepstowardhercamp。Longshaftsofgoldprecededherthroughtheforest。Thentheypaledandvanished。Thetipsofpinesandsprucesturnedgold。Ahoarse—voicedoldturkeygobblerwasboominghischug—a—lugfromthehighestground，andthesofterchickofhenturkeysansweredhim。Ellenwasalmostbreathlesswhenshearrived。
　　Twopacksandacoupleoflop—earedburrosattestedtothefactofAntonio’sreturn。ThiswasgoodnewsforEllen。Sheheardthebleatoflambsandtinkleofbellscomingnearerandnearer。AndshewasgladtofeelthatifIsbelhadvisitedhercamp，mostprobablyitwasduringtheabsenceoftheherders。
　　TheinstantsheglancedintohertentshesawthepackageIsbelhadcarried。Itlayonherbed。Ellenstaredblankly。"The——theimpudenceofhim！"sheejaculated。Thenshekickedthepackageoutofthetent。
　　Wordsandactionseemedtoliberateadammed—uphotfury。Shekickedthepackageagain，andthoughtshewouldkickitintothesmolderingcamp—fire。Butsomehowshestoppedshortofthat。Sheleftthethingthereontheground。
　　PepeandAntoniohoveinsight，drivinginthetumblingwoollyflock。
　　Ellendidnotwantthemtoseethepackage，sowithcontemptforherself，andsomewhatlesseninganger，shekickeditbackintothetent。Whatwasinit？Shepeepedinsidethetent，devouredbycuriosity。Neat，wellwrappedandtiedpackageslikethatwerenotoftenseenintheTontoBasin。Ellendecidedshewouldwaituntilaftersupper，andatafavorablemomentlayitunopenedonthefire。Whatdidshecarewhatitcontained？Manifestlyitwasagift。ShearguedthatshewashighlyincensedwiththisinsolentIsbelwhohadtheeffronterytoapproachherwithsomesortofpresent。
　　ItdevelopedthattheusuallycheerfulAntoniohadreturnedtaciturnandgloomy。AllEllencouldgetoutofhimwasthatthejobofsheepherderhadtakenonhazardsinimicaltopeace—lovingMexicans。Hehadheardsomethinghewouldnottell。Ellenhelpedpreparethesupperandsheateinsilence。Shehadherownbroodingtroubles。Antoniopresentlytoldherthatherfatherhadsaidshewasnottostartbackhomeafterdark。Aftersuppertheherdersrepairedtotheirowntents，leavingEllenthefreedomofhercamp—fire。Wherewithshesecuredthepackageandbroughtitforthtoburn。Femininecuriosityrankledstronginherbreast。Yieldingsofarastoshaketheparcelandpressit，andfinallytearacomeroffthepaper，shesawsomewordswritteninleadpencil。Bendingnearertheblaze，sheread，"FormysisterAnn。"
　　Ellengazedatthebig，boldhand—writing，quitelegibleandfairlywelldone。Suddenlyshetoretheoutsidewrappercompletelyoff。FromprintedwordsontheinsideshegatheredthatthepackagehadcomefromastoreinSanFrancisco。"Reckonhefetchedhomealotofpresentsforhisfolks——thekids——andhissister，"mutteredEllen。
　　"Thatwasniceofhim。WhateverthisisheshoremeantitforsisterAnn……AnnIsbel。Why，shemustbethatblack—eyedgirlImetandlikedsowellbeforeIknewshewasanIsbel……Hissister！"
　　WhereuponforthesecondtimeEllendepositedthefascinatingpackageinhertent。Shecouldnotburnitupjustthen。Shehadotheremotionsbesidesscornandhate。Andmemoryofthatsoft—voiced，kind—hearted，beautifulIsbelgirlcheckedherresentment。"Iwonderifheislikehissister，？’shesaid，thoughtfully。Itappearedtobeanunfortunatethought。JeanIsbelcertainlyresembledhissister。
　　"Toobadtheybelongtothefamilythatruineddad。"
　　Ellenwenttobedwithoutopeningthepackageorwithoutburningit。
　　Andtoherannoyance，whateverwayshelaysheappearedtotouchthisstrangepackage。Therewasnotmuchroominthelittletent。Firstsheputitatherheadbesideherrifle，butwhensheturnedoverhercheekcameincontactwithit。Thenshefeltasifshehadbeenstung。
　　Shemoveditagain，onlytotouchitpresentlywithherhand。Nextsheflungittothebottomofherbed，whereitfelluponherfeet，andwhateverwayshemovedthemshecouldnotescapethepressureofthisundesirableandmysteriousgift。
　　Byandbyshefellasleep，onlytodreamthatthepackagewasacaressinghandstealingabouther，feelingforhers，andholdingitwithsoft，strongclasp。Whensheawokeshehadthestrangestsensationinherrightpalm。Itwasmoist，throbbing，hot，andthefeelofitonhercheekwasstrangelythrillingandcomforting。
　　Shelayawakethen。Thenightwasdarkandstill。Onlyalowmoanofwindinthepinesandthefainttinkleofasheepbellbroketheserenity。Shefeltverysmallandlonelylyingthereinthedeepforest，and，tryhowshewould，itwasimpossibletothinkthesamethenasshedidintheclearlightofday。Resentment，pride，anger——theseseemedabatednow。Iftheeventsofthedayhadnotchangedher，theyhadatleastbroughtupsofterandkindermemoriesandemotionsthanshehadknownforlong。Nothinghurtandsaddenedhersomuchastorememberthegay，happydaysofherchildhood，hersweetmother，her，oldhome。ThenherthoughtreturnedtoIsbelandhisgift。Ithadbeenyearssinceanyonehadmadeheragift。
　　Whatcouldthisonebe？Itdidnotmatter。ThewonderwasthatJeanIsbelshouldbringittoherandthatshecouldbeperturbedbyitspresence。"Hemeantitforhissisterandsohethoughtwellofme，"shesaid，infinality。
　　MorningbroughtEllenfurthervacillation。Atlengthsherolledtheobnoxiouspackageinsideherblankets，sayingthatshewouldwaituntilshegothomeandthenconsignitcheerfullytotheflames。
　　Antoniotiedherpackonaburro。Shedidnothaveahorse，andthereforehadtowalktheseveralmiles，toherfather’sranch。
　　Shesetoffatabriskpace，leadingtheburroandcarryingherrifle。Andsoonshewasdeepinthefragrantforest。Themorningwasclearandcool，withjustenoughfrosttomakethesunlitgrasssparkleasifwithdiamonds。Ellenfeltfresh，buoyant，singularlyfullof，life。Heryouthwouldnotbedenied。Itwaspulsing，yearning。ShehummedanoldSoutherntuneandeverystepseemedoneofpleasureinaction，ofadvancetowardsomeintangiblefuturehappiness。Alltheunknownoflifebeforehercalled。Herheartbeathighinherbreastandshewalkedasoneinadream。Herthoughtswereswift—changing，intimate，deep，andvague，notofyesterdayorto—day，norofreality。
　　Thebig，gray，white—tailedsquirrelscrossedaheadofheronthetrail，scamperedoverthepinygroundtohopontreetrunks，andtheretheypausedtowatchherpass。Thevociferouslittleredsquirrelsbarkedandchatteredather。Fromeverythicketsoundedthegobbleofturkeys。
　　Thebluejayssqualledinthetreetops。Adeerlifteditsheadfrombrowsingandstoodmotionless，withlongearserect，watchinghergoby。
　　Thushappilyanddreamilyabsorbed，EllencoveredtheforestmilesandsoonreachedthetrailthatleddownintothewildbrakesofChevelonCanyon。Itwasroughgoingandlessconducivetosweetwanderingsofmind。Ellenslowlylostthem。Andthenafamiliarfeelingassailedher，onesheneverfailedtohaveuponreturningtoherfather’sranch——areluctance，abitterdissatisfactionwithherhome，aloyalstruggleagainstthevaguesensethatallwasnotasitshouldbe。
　　Attheheadofthiscanyoninalittle，level，grassymeadowstoodarudeone—roomlogshack，withaleaningred—stonechimneyontheoutside。
　　Thiswastheabodeofastrangeoldmanwhohadlonglivedthere。HisnamewasJohnSpragueandhisoccupationwasraisingburros。Nosheeporcattleorhorsesdidheown，notevenadog。RumorhadsaidSpraguewasaprospector，oneofthemanywhohadsearchedthatcountryfortheLostDutchmangoldmine。SpragueknewmoreabouttheBasinandRimthananyofthesheepmenorranchers。FromBlackButtetotheCibiqueandfromChevelonButtetoRenoPasshekneweverytrail，canyon，ridge，andspring，andcouldfindhiswaytothemonthedarkestnight。Hisfame，however，dependedmostlyuponthefactthathedidnothingbutraiseburros，andwouldraisenonebutblackburroswithwhitefaces。
　　TheseburroswerethefinestbredinailtheBasinandwereingreatdemand。Spraguesoldafeweveryyear。HehadmadeapresentofonetoEllen，althoughhehatedtopartwiththem。ThisoldmanwasEllen’soneandonlyfriend。
　　UponhertripouttotheRimwiththesheep，UncleJohn，asEllencalledhim，hadbeenawayononeofhisinfrequentvisitstoGrassValley。Itpleasedhernowtoseeabluecolumnofsmokelazilyliftingfromtheoldchimneyandtohearthediscordantbrayofburros。
　　AssheenteredtheclearingSpraguesawherfromthedoorofhisshack。
　　"Hello，UncleJohn！"shecalled。
　　"Wal，ifitain’tEllen！"hereplied，heartily。"WhenIseenthetwhite—facedjinnyIknowedwhowasleadin’her。Whereyoubeen，girl？"
　　Spraguewasalittle，stoop—shoulderedoldman，withgrizzledheadandface，andshrewdgrayeyesthatbeamedkindlyonheroverhisruddycheeks。Ellendidnotlikethetobaccostainonhisgrizzledbeardnorthedirty，motley，ragged，ill—smellinggarbhewore，butshehadceasedheruselessattemptstomakehimmorecleanly。
　　"I’vebeenherdin’sheep，"repliedEllen。"Andwherehavey’ubeen，uncle？Imissedy’uonthewayover。"
　　"Beenpackin’insomegrub。An’IreckonIstayedlongerinGrassValleythanIrecollect。Butthetwasonlynatural，considerin’——"
　　"What？"askedEllen，bluntly，astheoldmanpaused。
　　Spraguetookablackpipeoutofhisvestpocketandbeganrimmingthebowlwithhisfingers。TheglancehebentonEllenwasthoughtfulandearnest，andsokindthatshefeareditwaspity。Ellensuddenlyburnedfornewsfromthevillage。
　　Wal，comeinan’setdown，won’tyou？"heasked。
　　"No，thanks，"repliedEllen，andshetookaseatonthechoppingblock。
　　"Tellme，uncle，what’sgoin’ondownintheValley？"
　　"Nothin’muchyet——excepttalk。An’there’saheapofthet。"
　　"Humph！Therealwayswastalk，"declaredEllen，contemptuously。
　　"Anasty，gossipy，cattyhole，thatGrassValley！"
　　"Ellen，thar’sgoin’tobewar——abloodywarintheoleTontoBasin，"
　　wentonSprague，seriously。
　　"War！……Betweenwhom？"
　　"TheIsbelsan’theirenemies。Ireckonmostpeopledownthar，an’
　　sureallthecattlemen，aironoldGass’sside。Blaisdell，Gordon，Fredericks，Blue——they’llallbeinit。"
　　"Whoaretheygoin’tofight？"queriedEllen，sharply。
　　"Wal，theopentalkisthetthesheepmenareforcin’thiswar。Butthar’stalknotsoopen，an’Ireckonnotveryhealthyforanymantowhisperhyarbouts。"
　　"UncleJohn，y’uneedn’tbeafraidtotellmeanythin’，saidEllen。
　　"I’dnevergivey’uaway。Y’u’vebeenagoodfriendtome。"
　　"ReckonIwanttobe，Ellen，"hereturned，noddinghisshaggyhead。
　　"Itain’teasytobefondofyouasIaman’keepmymouthshet……I’dliketoknowsomethin’。Hevyouanyrelativesawayfromhyarthetyoucouldgototillthisfight’sover？"
　　"No。AllIhave，sofarasIknow，arerightheah。"
　　"Howabootfriends？"
　　"UncleJohn，Ihavenone，"shesaid，sadly，withbowedhead。
　　"Wal，wal，I’msorry。Iwashopin’youmightgitaway。"
　　Sheliftedherface。"Shorey’udon’tthinkI’drunoffifmydadgotinafight？"sheflashed。
　　"Ihopeyouwill。"
　　"I’maJorth，"shesaid，darkly，anddroppedherheadagain。
　　Spraguenoddedgloomily。Evidentlyhewasperplexedandworried，andstronglyswayedbyaffectionforher。
　　"Wouldyougoawaywithme？"heasked。"WecouldpackovertotheMazatzalsan’livethartillthisblowsover。"
　　"Thanky’u，UncleJohn。Y’u’rekindandgood。ButI’llstaywithmyfather。Histroublesaremine。"
　　"Ahuh！……Wal，Imighthevreckonedso……Ellen，howdoyoustandonthishyarsheepan’cattlequestion？"
　　"Ithinkwhat’sfairforoneisfairforanother。Idon’tlikesheepasmuchasIlikecattle。Butthat’snotthepoint。Therangeisfree。
　　Supposey’uhadcattleandIhadsheep。I’dfeelasfreetorunmysheepanywhereasy’uweretoranyourcattle。"
　　"Right。Butwhatifyouthrowedyoursheeproundmyrangean’sheepedoffthegrasssomycattlewouldhevtomoveorstarve？"
　　"ShoreIwouldn’tthrowmysheeproundy’urrange，"shedeclared，stoutly。
　　"Wal，you’veansweredhalfofthequestion。An’nowsupposin’alotofmycattlewasstolenbyrustlers，butnotasingleoneofyoursheep。
　　What’dyouthinkthen？"
　　"I’dshorethinkrustlerschosetostealcattlebecausetherewasnoprofitinstealin’sheep。"
　　"Egzactly。Butwouldn’tyouhevaqueerideeabootit？"
　　"Idon’tknow。Whyqueer？What’rey’udrivin’at，UncleJohn？"
　　"Wal，wouldn’tyougitkindofahunchthettherustlerswas——sayaleetlefriendlytowardthesheepmen？
　　Ellenfeltasuddenvibratingshock。Thebloodrushedtohertemples。
　　Tremblingallover，sherose。
　　"UncleJohn！"shecried。
　　"Now，girl，youneedn’tfireupthetway。Setdownan’don’t——"
　　"Darey’uinsinuatemyfatherhas——"
　　"Ellen，Iain’tinsinuatin’nothin’，"interruptedtheoldman。"I’mjestaskin’youtothink。Thet’sall。You’re，mostgrownintoayoungwomannow。An’you’vegotsense。Thar’sbadtimesahead，Ellen。
　　An’Ihatetoseeyoumixinthem。"
　　"Oh，y’udomakemethink，"repliedEllen，withsmartingtearsinhereyes。"Y’umakemeunhappy。Oh，Iknowmydadisnotlikedinthiscattlecountry。Butit’sunjust。Hehappenedtogoinforsheepraising。Iwishhehadn’t。Itwasamistake。Dadalwayswasacattlemantillwecameheah。Hemadeenemies——who——whoruinedhim。
　　Andeverywheremisfortunecrossedhistrail……But，oh，UncleJohn，mydadisanhonestman。"
　　"Wal，child，I——Ididn’tmeanto——tomakeyoucry，"saidtheoldman，feelingly，andheavertedhistroubledgaze。"NevermindwhatIsaid。
　　I’manoldmeddler。Ireckonnothin’Icoulddoorsaywouldeverchangewhat’sgoin’tohappen。Ifonlyyouwasn’tagirl！……
　　TharIgoag’in。Ellen，faceyourfuturean’fightyourway。Allyoungstershevtodothet。An’it’stherightkindoffightthetmakestherightkindofmanorwoman。Onlyyoumustbesuretofindyourself。An’bythetImeantofindthereal，true，honest—to—Godbestinyouan’sticktoitan’diefightin’forit。You’reayoungwoman，almost，an’ablamedhandsomeone。Whichmeansyou’llhevmoretroublean’aharderfight。Thiscountryain’teasyonawomanwhenonceslanderhasmarkedher。
　　"WhatdoIcareforthetalkdowninthatBasin？"returnedEllen。
　　"IknowtheythinkI’mahussy。I’veletthemthinkit。
　　I’vehelpedthemto。"
　　"You’rewrong，child，"saidSprague，earnestly。"Pridean，temper！
　　Youmustneverletanyonethinkbadofyou，muchlesshelpthemto。"
　　"Ihateeverybodydownthere，"criedEllen，passionately。"IhatethemsoI’dgloryintheirthinkin’mebad……MymotherbelongedtothebestbloodinTexas。Iamherdaughter。IknowWHOANDWHAT
　　IAM。ThatupliftsmewheneverImeetthesneaky，slysuspicionsoftheseBasinpeople。Itshowsmethedifferencebetweenthemandme。
　　That’swhatIgloryin。"
　　"Ellen，you’reawild，headstrongchild，"rejoinedtheoldman，inseveretones。"Wordhasbeenpassedag’in’yourgoodname——yourhonor……An’hevn’tyougivencauseferthet？"
　　Ellenfeltherfaceblanchandallherbloodrushbacktoherheartinsickeningforce。Theshockofhiswordswaslikeastabfromacoldblade。Iftheirmeaningandthestem，justlightoftheoldman’sglancedidnotkillherprideandvanitytheysurelykilledhergirlishness。Shestoodmute，staringathim，withherbrown，tremblinghandsstealinguptowardherbosom，asiftowardoffanotherandamortalblow。
　　"Ellen！"burstoutSprague，hoarsely。"Youmistookme。Aw，Ididn’tmean——whatyouthink，Iswear……Ellen，I’moldan’blunt。Iain’tusedtowimmen。ButI’veloveforyou，child，an’respect，jestthesameasifyouwasmyown……An’IKNOWyou’regood……
　　Forgiveme……Imeantonlyhevn’tyoubeen，say，sortof——
　　careless？"
　　"Care—less？"queriedEllen，bitterlyandlow。
　　"An’powerfulthoughtlessan’——an’blind——lettin’menkissyouan’
　　fondleyou——whenyou’rereallyagrowed—upwomannow？"
　　"Yes——Ihave，"whisperedEllen。
　　"Wal，then，whydidyouletthem？
　　"I——Idon’tknow……Ididn’tthink。Themenneverletmealone——
　　never——never！Igottiredeverlastinglypushin’themaway。Andsometimes——whentheywerekind——andIwaslonelyforsomethingI——I
　　didn’tmindifoneoranotherfooledroundme。Ineverthought。
　　Itneverlookedasy’uhavemadeitlook……Then——thosefewtimesridin’thetrailtoGrassValley——whenpeoplesawme——thenI
　　guessIencouragedsuchattentions……Oh，Imustbe——Iamashamelesslittlehussy！"
　　"Hushthetkindoftalk，"saidtheoldman，ashetookherhand。