"It will be better for you and Virgie to go to Ewing's place, Nell.
It's always quiet there, and my place is pretty busy and noisy. I'll
manage to stay over there with you a good deal, and we'll get a woman to
come and do for you--I know one that will be glad to come. It will only
be for a little while, you know."

She smiled at that well-worn fiction, but applauded the plan.

"I shall like it, dear, and Virgie will, too, I'm sure, if you think it
best, and if Mr. Ewing----"

"Ewing suggested it, and he didn't waste any words telling what a good
plan he thought it was. We'll have some extra things brought up from
Pagosa to make you comfortable, and you can have a bully long rest
there."

"A long rest, yes--and let us have a piano. I'd like to hear some music
while I'm resting."

"Sure! we'll have one up from Durango. You might need to stay there
until--well--into the winter, you know."

"I think so, Clarence." She was tempted sometimes to confide to him the
truth about her sickness, but refrained.

"Well, it won't be very long. All you want is a rest."

Her mind echoed it when he had gone. Yes, a rest. She looked up at
Virginia, who had entered softly. Her face still shone with the thought
of rest and release, and she smiled up at the girl, who had laid a cool
hand on her flushing cheek, and now regarded her with devouring eyes.
She stood so a moment, then knelt to peer at the wasted face. She looked
a long time without speaking, looked shrewdly and, at last, accusingly.

"What is it, dearest? I saw it in your face yesterday. What is it I see?
Something has frightened you--beaten you."

The other smiled protestingly, chidingly, with a raised finger; but the
girl was not to be appeased.

"You won't tell me, Nell; I know you; you'll keep it in. But, oh,
dearest!" She suddenly gathered the sick woman into her strong young
arms, raising her head from the pillow, holding the fevered face to her
breast, pressing her own cool cheek to the hot brow.

"Dearest dear, let me in. Trust me. Tell me where it hurts. Let me
mother you."

"There, there, dear! Everything is all right. Lay me down again and be
easy in that mind of yours."

But once more on the pillow she had to endure again the girl's accusing
eyes.

"Nell, someone hasn't loved you enough. That's what I feel. Who is it?"

"Nonsense! You're only worried because I'm a little run down. Everyone
loves me enough--all I deserve. There, dear, I think I can re