s for marrying him because of his
money. His unconquerable suspicion of the woman, his innate distrust
of the feminine element would not be done away with. What fathomless
duplicity was hers, that she could appear so innocent. It was almost
unbelievable; in fact, was it believable?

For the first time doubt assailed him. Suppose Hilma was indeed all
that she appeared to be. Suppose it was not with her a question of his
property, after all; it was a poor time to think of marrying him for his
property when all Quien Sabe hung in the issue of the next few months.
Suppose she had been sincere. But he caught himself up. Was he to be
fooled by a feemale girl at this late date? He, Buck Annixter, crafty,
hard-headed, a man of affairs? Not much. Whatever transpired he would
remain the master.

He reached Quien Sabe in this frame of mind. But at this hour, Annixter,
for all his resolutions, could no longer control his thoughts. As he
stripped the saddle from the buckskin and led her to the watering trough
by the stable corral, his heart was beating thick at the very notion
of being near Hilma again. It was growing dark, but covertly he glanced
here and there out of the corners of his eyes to see if she was anywhere
about. Annixter--how, he could not tell--had become possessed of the
idea that Hilma would not inform her parents of what had passed between
them the previous evening under the Long Trestle. He had no idea that
matters were at an end between himself and the young woman. He must
apologise, he saw that clearly enough, must eat crow, as he told
himself. Well, he would eat crow. He was not afraid of her any longer,
now that she had made her confession to him. He would see her as soon as
possible and get this business straightened out, and begin again from a
new starting point. What he wanted with Hilma, Annixter did not define
clearly in his mind. At one time he had known perfectly well what he
wanted. Now, the goal of his desires had become vague. He could not say
exactly what it was. He preferred that things should go forward without
much idea of consequences; if consequences came, they would do so
naturally enough, and of themselves; all that he positively knew was
that Hilma occupied his thoughts morning, noon, and night; that he was
happy when he was with her, and miserable when away from her.

The Chinese cook served his supper in silence. Annixter ate and drank
and lighted a cigar, and after his meal sat on the p