e was the Lord-a'mighty Hisself," she muttered
indignantly, as Creed joined a group of young men, and she passed in to
her necessary activities as hostess.

Judith Barrier's play-party won to its close with light hearts and light
feet, with heavy hearts which the weary body would fain have denied, with
love and laughter, with jealousy and chagrin, with the slanted look of
envy, of furtive admiration, or of disparagement, from feminine eyes at
the costumes of other women, just as any ball does.

The two who had trembled upon the brink of some personal revelation, a
closer communion, were not again alone together that evening. Amid the
moving figures of the others, now to his eyes as painted automatons,
Creed Bonbright watched with strong fascination in which there was a
tincture that was almost terror, the beautiful girl who had suddenly
emerged from her class and become for him the one woman.

So adequate, so competent, Judith dominated the situation; passing among
her guests, the thick dark lashes continually lowered toward her crimson
cheeks. Some subtle sense told her that the spell was working. Smiles
from this sweet inner satisfaction curved her red lips. No need to
look--she knew how his eyes were following her. The exultant knowledge of
it sang all through her being. Gone were her perturbations, her chilling
uncertainties. She was at once stimulated and quieted.

Their good-byes were said in the most public manner, yet one glance
flashed between them which asked and promised an early meeting.

Chapter IX

Foeman's Bluff

It was near midnight when Creed sought his patient mule at the rack, to
find that Doss Provine had ridden the animal away.

"He said you was a-goin' to stay at yo' own house to-night, an' he 'lowed
ye wouldn't need the mule, an' he was mighty tired. He 'lowed hit was a
mighty long ja'nt out to the Edge whar he was a-goin'," contributed Blev
Straley, who seemed to have been admitted to Provine's confidence.

"Mighty long ja'nt--I say long ja'nt!" ejaculated old man Broyles, who
was engaged in saddling his ancient one-eyed mare. "Ef I couldn't spit as
fur as from here to the Edge I'd never chaw tobacker agin! Plain old
fashioned laziness is what ails Doss Provine. I'd nacher'ly w'ar him out
for this trick, Bonbright, ef I was you."

"Well, I did aim to stay over at my house to-night," said Creed, "But I
can't. I've got a case to try in the morning, soon, that I've got to look
up