rill of joy swept through his
body. It was not a soft hand, but brown and firm as if accustomed to
toil. Her eyes met his and there was something in her look which
aroused the noblest within him. It was an expression of admiration,
almost hero-worship, and confidence. It said to him, "I know I can
trust you, for you are worthy. You are different from most men in this
region. Why are you up here?"

"I am glad that I happened to be near," Reynolds replied. "I was
merely resting and enjoying the scenery when you and the bear appeared.
You must be more careful in the future, as I might not be around."

The girl gave a merry laugh, and brushed back a wayward tress of hair
that had drifted temptingly over her right cheek.

"I forgot to bring my gun," she explained, "and so the bear had me at
its mercy. It is always the way, isn't it? Something is sure to
happen when you are not prepared."

"And do you always ride alone in such dangerous places?" Reynolds asked.

"Oh, yes," and again the girl smiled. "Midnight and I know the trails
well, don't we, old boy?" and she affectionately patted the horse's
sleek neck. "But we came farther to-day than usual. But it was worth
it, though, just to see that shot you made. Won't daddy be interested
when I tell him about it."

"It was nothing much," Reynolds replied, although the sudden flush
which mantled his face told Glen that he was pleased at her words of
praise. "I am used to shooting brutes. In fact, it was my special
work for several years."

"Grizzlies?" the girl queried.

"Worse than grizzlies, and far more ugly, crafty, and brutal."

"My, I never heard of such creatures," and the girl's eyes grew big
with astonishment.

"Oh, I guess you have," and Reynolds smiled. "They raise and train
them in Germany. I met them in France."

"What! were you over there?" Glen's interest and admiration were
intense now.

"Yes, almost from the beginning of the war. I was a sharpshooter, you
see, and so had excellent practice."

"Oh!" It was all the girl said, but it thrilled the young man's very
soul, and when his eyes again met hers a sudden embarrassment came upon
him.

"Do you live here?" he unexpectedly asked.

This question aroused Glen, and she at once assumed the defensive. The
expression in her eyes changed, and she looked apprehensively around.

"A long way from here," she replied. "I must be off at once."

"Let me go with you, Miss Weston," Reyno