ove the collar of his shirt and spread until it covered his face an

ich he did, while Mary Bransford, running forward, tried to throw her arms around Sanderson's neck. She was prevent

er we've settled with Dale

make a claim like that, but it's another thing to pro

d. But he reached into a pocket, drew out the two letters he had taken from the r

ead the letters, gathering from the scowl that swept over the ot

the girl. And while Mary ran to Streak, unstrapped the slicker, tore it ope

ed the girl joyous

essin' no charge against Nyland. Take your rope off him an' turn him free. An' then mebbe you'll be accommodatin' enough to

ds resting idly on his hips he watched Dale and the men ride away. Then he shook hands mechanically with Nyland, permitted Peggy to kiss him-whi

pped slowly toward him, the

d her hands on his shoulders, "this seems positi

r hands, stood on the tips of her toes and kisse

m-" began

corrected,

y, that is-you s

you did stay away for so many years. Not another word now!" she warned as she took him by an arm and led him towa

purpose of defeating Dale's aim. His sole purpose had been to help Mary Bransford out of a difficult situation; he had acted on im

saved, he wanted to make his confession, be f

, he looked hack, to see the little, anemic man standing near the house, looking at him with an odd smile.

ment. "He looked mighty fussed up while Dale was doin' th

ir. Meanwhile she talked rapidly, telling him of the elder Bransford's last moments, of incidents that had occurred during his absence fro

her caresses, and cursing himself heartily for yielding to the absurd impulse that had placed him in so ridiculous a p

oment was making his position more difficult, and his ultimate pardon

here,

rected, shaking

e," he went on hoarsely. "I want to tell you

I'll wager Dale thinks so; and Peggy Nyland, and Ben. Now, wait!" she added as he tried to speak.

d me so! He was over here yesterday, gloating over me. Do you know what he claims? That I am not a Bransford; that I am merely an adopte

ose, or he would not have talked so confidently. And he is all-powerful in the basin. He is friendly with all the big

necessary. He could take it away from me, for I wouldn't know how to fight him. But he can't take it away from you, Will. And he can'

ou the first time, out there by the stable, I was certain of you, though I dreaded to have you

at I ain't Will Bransford," sai

lding his gaze for a long time, while she searched his face for sig

, for at that moment he felt himself being drawn further and further into the meshes of the trap he had laid for hi

eated. "No man could dec

confess now and at the same time entert

Dale's plans-brutally tell her the truth

er brother he had raised her hopes high. How could he tell her that her brother had been killed, th

her to consider the possibility of his not being her

he might not believe him; she might indeed-considering that he already

be to destroy her; to withhold the confession and to contin

ave him no time for serious and continued thought. Taking him by an arm she le

in there and get some sleep. Sleep until dusk. By that time I'll have supper ready. And th

oor, pulled the chair over near a window-from which he got a good view of the frowning bu

me, "I'm sure a triple-plat