. We are a long way from the courts here, Senator, and we can't easily
appeal to the authorities. We are obliged to settle our differences
among ourselves. Moran knows this as well as I do; but he forgets that
the thing can work two ways. Each day that the sheep are here in the
valley they spoil more grass than all our cattle could eat in a week; in
two months, if the sheep stay, the range will be as bare as a ball-room
floor. Can you wonder that we ranchers are becoming desperate?"

"It's strange," Rexhill commented, apparently much perturbed. "Moran is
not the sort to take useless risks. He's dominant, but he's no fool.
Well, my boy, I'll talk this over with him; in fact, I really came out
here to see how things were shaping up. If things can be peacefully
arranged, that's the way we want them. We're not looking for trouble.
Certainly, you are quite right to object to sheep being run on your
leased pasture. I'll look into it right away and see what can be done."

"Thank you." Wade was much relieved and he showed it. "I felt sure that
an appeal to your sense of fair play would not be fruitless. I'm mighty
glad you are in town."

"Gordon!" a girl's voice exclaimed softly behind him.

"Helen!" He sprang to his feet and turned to seize her hands.

Those who admired Helen Rexhill at Washington social functions never saw
her look more lovely than she did at this moment of meeting with Wade,
for the reason that all the skill of the costumer could not beautify her
so much as the radiance of love now in her face. The dress she wore was
far from inexpensive, but it was cut with the art which conceals art,
and to Wade it appeared simple.

Yet his first sensation was one of acute disappointment, which he strove
rather ineffectually, to conceal. Doubtless, this was because his
recollection of her had soared beyond the bounds of human perfection.
But the gown, which she had chosen with so keen a wish to impress him,
reminded him of the simple frocks which Dorothy Purnell wore, and in
Helen Rexhill's face there was not the same sweet simplicity of
expression which distinguished her rival. Flaming love was there, to
transform her from the suggestion of a lily to that of a pomegranate;
but it was the love that demands and devours, rather than the constant
affection which, in giving all, seeks nothing but the privilege of
loving in return. Without actually analyzing the impression which Helen
made upon him, Wade felt something of