a tenderness that was partly paternal. She
seemed so young and looked so pale and troubled.

She greeted him unsmilingly and calmly handed him the pen with which to
register.

"How are you all?" he asked, with genuine concern.

"Pretty bum. Mother gave out this week. It's the heat, I guess. Hottest
weather we've had since I came to town."

"Why didn't you let me know?"

She avoided his question. "We're too low here at Junction. Mother ought
to go a couple of thousand feet higher. She needs rest and a change.
I've sent her out to the ranch."

"You're not running the house alone?"

"Why, cert!--that is, except my brother's wife is taking mother's place
in the kitchen. I'm runnin' the rest of it just as I've been doin' for
three years."

He looked his admiration before he uttered it. "You're a wonder!"

"Don't you think it! How does it happen you're down to-day? You said
Saturday."

"I've sold out--signed the deeds to-day. I'm out of the liquor trade
forever."

She nodded gravely. "I'm glad of that. I don't like the business--not a
little bit."

He took this as an encouragement. "I knew you didn't. Well, I'm neither
saloon-keeper nor gambler from this day. I'm a miner and a
capitalist--and all I have is yours," he added, in a lover's voice,
bending a keen glance upon her.

The girl was standing very straight behind her desk, and her face did
not change, but her eyes shifted before his gaze. "You'd better go in to
supper while the biscuit are hot," she advised, coolly.

He had tact enough to take his dismissal without another word or glance,
and after he had gone she still stood there in the same rigid pose, but
her face was softer and clouded with serious meditation. It was
wonderful to think of this rich and powerful man changing his whole life
for her.

Winchell, the young barber, came in hurriedly, his face full of
accusation and alarm. "Was that Haney who just came in?" he asked,
truculently.

"Yes, he's at supper--want to see him?"

"See him? No! And I don't want _you_ to see him! He's too free with you,
Bert; I don't like it."

She smiled a little, curious smile. "Don't mix it up with _him_, Ed--I'd
hate to see your remains afterwards."

"Bert, see here! You've been funny with me lately." (By funny he meant
unaccountable.) "And your mother has been hinting things at me--and now
here is Haney leaving his business to come down the middle of the week.
What's the meaning of it?"

"It isn't t