stranger! How you ever soothed the poor little
thing I don't know--her being wild as a flea--but on top of that,
in I slam and lit out on you both and 'corse she couldn't 'splain
about Burke before you and that's plain enough what she had come to
do, and I didn't leave either one of you a leg to stand on. I've
been pretty low in my spirits I can tell you and I beg your pardon
humble, young feller, and if ever I can do Nella-Rose a turn by
letting Burke free, no matter what he does--I will! But 'tain't
likely he'll act up for some time. Nella-Rose always could tame him
and he's been close on her trail ever since she was a toddler. I'm
right glad they took things in their own hands and left. She didn't
sense the right black meaning I had in my heart that day when she
ran--but you did and I sure am ashamed of the part I done played.

If you can overlook what no man has a call to overlook in
another--your welcome is red hot here for you at any time.

JIM WHITE

Sheriff.

Truedale read and reread this amazing production until he began to feel
his way through the tangle of words and catch a meaning--false,
ridiculously false of course, but none the less designed as an
explanation and excuse. Then the non-essentials dropped away and one
bald fact remained! Truedale sank back in his chair, turned off the
electric light, and closed his eyes.

"Tired, old man?" Kendall asked from across the hearth.

"Yes. Dead tired."

"You'll travel easier when you get the gait."

"Undoubtedly."

"Take a bit of a nap," Lynda suggested.

"Thanks, Lyn, I will." Then Truedale, safe from intrusion, tried to make
his way out of the maze into which he had been thrown. Slowly he
recovered from the effect of the staggering blow and presently got to
the point where he felt it was all a cruel lie or a stupid jest. There
he paused. Jim was not the kind to lie or joke about such a thing. It
was a mistake--surely a mistake. He would go at once to Pine Cone and
make everything right. Nella-Rose could not act alone. Tradition,
training, conspired to unfit her for this crisis; but that she had gone
from his love and faith into the arms of another man was incredible. No;
she was safe, probably in hiding; she would write him. She had the
address--she was keen and quick, even though she was helpless to cope
with the lawlessness of her mountain environment. Truedale saw the