red how his sister had passed
the time. Once she had mentioned meeting Burroughs, and he knew that she
was living at the little hotel that he remembered. He was frantic to
reach his destination and assume a brother's responsibility for the
simple-hearted, yielding, young English girl, brought abruptly into the
rough Western life.

As he drew near the growing town of Fort Benton he was astounded at the
sight of what seemed quite a metropolis to his eyes, so long accustomed
to the log buildings and the scant population of Fort Macleod.

As the road dipped over the bench and led into town he saw, riding to
meet him--was it his sister?--and with her, Robert Burroughs!

But Danvers was on his feet, and as he assisted the girl to dismount she
slid into his arms and put up her lips for a kiss.

When something like coherence was evolved from the rush of questions and
answers, Kate turned shyly toward Burroughs, who still sat upon his
horse.

She took her brother by the hand.

"Phil, dear, you have not spoken to Mr. Burroughs. He has told me so
much of your life together in the Whoop Up Country, and what friends you
are. He has been most kind to me. When I learned that you were ill, I
was so alarmed--alone! But he--that is--I----"

"Why, it's this way, Danvers," interrupted Burroughs, speaking with more
correctness than Phil had before heard him, and willingly taking the
onus of explanation--his hour had come. "Your sister couldn't go to
Macleod, of course. She couldn't stay here, alone. You'll stay with the
Police, no doubt; and, as Latimer and his wife are away, it fitted right
in with my plans"--he paused to enjoy the dismay on Danvers' face--"to
ask Kate to do me the honor of marrying me. You remember," he hastened
to add, "don't you, that I once told you that you'd not only never marry
Eva Thornhill, but that I'd marry your sister?"

The dark, exultant face flashed the same look of hate that greeted
Philip on the _Far West_, and later gloomed through the dimly lighted
trading-post on the night of the dance! With a groan Danvers realized,
as he looked at his suddenly shrinking sister, that the sacrifice of his
life's ambition had been in vain.

[Illustration]

BOOK III

_THE STATE_

"_What constitutes a state?_

* * * * *

_Men who their duty know._"

[Illustration]

Chapter I

Visitors from Helena

Philip Danvers, cattleman, nearing Fort Be