go out there anyway. But do you
realize what Crawling Water is like,--a rough, frontier town?"

"I wouldn't mind that for a while."

"No, I suppose not. You've got too much of your old dad in you to balk
at a few difficulties. There's somebody else out there who'd be mighty
glad to see your pretty face. Race Moran."

"Mr. Moran!"

The sudden change in the girl's tone from tenderness to scorn caused the
Senator a twinge of uneasiness. His plans were so closely linked with
Moran's for the present, that the man might prove dangerous if his love
for Helen were too openly scorned. That she could scarcely tolerate him,
despite his ability and force of character, her father knew from the
past; but even in the moment of his need he did not seek to influence
her in Moran's favor. His love for her was genuine and very deep.

"He's been out there for some time, as my agent."

"Yes, I know that. He--he has written to me, although I've never
answered his letters. I've been curious to hear from him again, because
he promised to send me some kodaks of Crawling Water."

"Maybe he hasn't done so because you've ignored his letters."

Helen's lip curled in disdain.

"He'd never let a little thing like that stop him. But perhaps I will
answer the next one, if only to find out what is going on out there.
It's all so very mysterious. Do you know, father,"--She playfully shook
her finger at him--"this is the first time in a long while that you
haven't taken me into your confidence, and I think it a very ominous
sign. I'm sure you'll be punished for it."

The Senator winced at the word punished, and Helen laughed at what she
thought was the effect of her raillery.

"Why don't you tell me? You see, I'm so worried about Gordon. Honestly,
father, I'm serious about that. I--I love him, and I don't want him
hurt."

"Hurt? Why, who is thinking of hurting him?"

"Oh, I don't know. Moran hates him, and has referred to him once or
twice in a way that I do not understand. Do tell me all about it."

"Oh, well, my dear, there's really nothing to tell. It's all concerned
with some homestead lands out there that I want to get hold of for an
investment. Wade will not be hurt, no; that is, he won't be if he beats
me out. If I win, he'll lose."

"He will?"

"We both can't win, of course. It's to be a fight, yes,--an amicable
business struggle, I hope. There's no reason for it to be otherwise."
The Senator appeared strangely nervous, despit