ild were the eyes of Dan Barry. It came home to Kate and she saw
the truth for the first time in her life. She had struggled to win him
away from his former life, but now she knew that it was not habit which
controlled him, for he was wild by instinct, by nature. Just as the tang
of his untamed blood had turned the child to this; and a few days more
of life with him would leave her wild forever.

"He left you alone here!" she repeated fiercely. "Where a thousand
things might happen. Thank God I've found you."

Even if her words conveyed little meaning to Joan, the intonation
carried a message which was perfectly clear.

"Don't you like Daddy Dan?"

"Joan, Joan, I love him! Of course."

But Joan sat with a dubious eye which quickly darkened into fear.

"Oh, Munner, don't take us back!"

Such horror and terror and sadness mixed! The tears rushed into the eyes
of Kate.

"Do you want to stay here, sweetheart?"

"Yes, munner."

"Without me?"

At first Joan shook her head decidedly, but thereafter she quickly
became thoughtful.

"No, except when we eat."

"You don't want me here at dinner-time? Poor munner will get so hungry."

A great concession was about to burst from the remorseful lips of Joan,
but again second thought sobered her. She remained in a quandary, unable
to speak.

"Don't you want me even when you wake up at night?"

"Why?"

"Because you're so afraid of the dark."

"Joan's not afraid. Oh, no! Joan loves the dark."

If Kate maintained a smile, it was a frozen grimace. It had only been a
few days--hardly yesterday--that Joan left, and already she was a little
stranger. Suppose Dan should refuse to come back himself; refuse even to
give up Joan! She started up, clutching the hand of the child.

"Quick, Joan, we must go!"

"Joan doesn't want to go!"

"We'll go--for a little walk. We--we'll surprise Daddy Dan."

"But Daddy Dan won't come back for long, long time. Not till the sun is
away down behind that hill."

That should mean two hours, at least, thought Kate. She could wait a
little.

"Joan, what taught you not to be afraid of the dark?"

This problem made Joan look about for an answer, but at length she
called softly: "Jackie!"

She waited, and then whistled; at once the bright eyes of the little
coyote appeared around the edge of the rock.

"Come here!" she commanded.

He slunk out with his head turned towards Kate and cowered at the feet
of the child. And the mother cr