I can take you all out of this daily tile like winkin'--all you need to
do is to say the wan word and we'll have a house in Colorado Springs or
Denver--or even in New York. For what did you think I left me business
on the busiest day of every week? It was to see your sweet daughter, and
I came this time to ask her to go back with me."

"What did she say?"

"She has not said. We had no time to talk. What I propose now is that we
take a drive out to the ranch and talk it over. Williams will fill her
place here. In fact, the house is mine. I bought it this morning."

The poor woman sat like one in a stupor, comprehending little of what he
said. The room seemed to be revolving. The earth had given way beneath
her feet and the heavens were opening. Her first sensation was one of
terror. She feared a man of such power--a man who could in a single
moment, by a wave of his hand, upset her entire world. His enormous
wealth dazzled her even while she doubted it. How could it be true while
he sat there talking to her--and she in her apron and her hair in
disorder? She rose hurriedly with instinct to make herself presentable
enough to carry on this conversation. As she stood weakly, she
apologized incoherently.

"Captain, I appreciate your kindness--you've always been a good
customer--one I liked to do for--but I'm all upset--I can't get my
wits--"

"No hurry, madam," he said, with a generous intent. "To-morrow is
coming. Don't hurry at all--at all."

She hurried out, leaving him alone--with the clock, the cat, and the
hostler, who was spraying the sidewalk under the cotton-wood-trees.
Quivering with fear of the girl's refusal, the gambler rose and went out
into the sunsmit streets to commune with this new-found self.

Life was no longer simple for Mrs. Gilman. It was, indeed, filled with a
wind of terror. Haney's promise of relief from want was very sweet, yet
disturbingly empty, like the joy of dreams, and yet his words took her
breath--clouded her judgment, befogged her insight.

She went back to the dining-room, where her daughter sat eating dinner,
with a numbness in her limbs and a sense of dizziness in her brain, and
dropping into a chair at the table gasped out:

"Do you know--what Captain Haney just said to me?"

"Not being a mind-reader, I don't," replied the girl, calmly, though she
was moved by her mother's white, awed face.

"He wants you!"

Bertha flushed and braced both hands against the table as she r