ode
mercilessly over all obstacles and men, but now had come to one which
he could not surmount. He wondered how obdurate Bully Presby would
prove if the time ever came when he dared ask for Joan, and whether,
if the father refused, Joan's will would override this opposition.

Studying the lines of her face, and the firm contour of her chin as it
rounded into the grace of her throat, he had a joyful sense of
confidence that she would not prove wanting, and dismissed Bully
Presby from his thoughts. With a great embarrassment, he fumbled in
the pocket of his shirt, and brought out a little box which he opened,
to display a glittering gem. He held it toward her, in the palm of his
hand; but she pulled her gloves over her fingers, and blushed and
laughed.

"It seems to me," she declared, "that you have plenty of assurance."

"Why?" he insisted.

"Because I haven't made my mind up--that far, yet, and because if I
had I shouldn't say so until the Croix d'Or had been proven one way
or the other."

She stopped, awkwardly embarrassed, as if her objection had conveyed a
suggestion that his financial standing had a bearing on her
acceptance, and hastened to rectify it:

"Not that its success or the money it would bring has anything to do
with it."

"But if it failed?" he interrogated, striving to force her to an
admission.

"I should accept you as quickly as if it were a success; perhaps more
quickly, for I have money enough. But that isn't it. Don't you see,
can't you understand, that I want you to make good just to show that
you can?"

"Yes," he answered gloomily. "But if I didn't feel quite confident, I
shouldn't offer you the ring. And if I failed, I shouldn't ask you."

"Then you musn't fail," she retorted. "And, do you know," she
hastened, as if eager to change the subject, and get away from such a
trying pass, "that I've never seen the Croix since you took possession
of it?"

"Come now," he said, with boyish eagerness. "I've wanted you to see
what we are doing for weeks--yes, months. Will you? We can lead your
horse down over the trail easily."

He walked by her side, the black patiently following them, and told
her of what had been accomplished in his absence, and of their plans.
She listened gravely, offering such sage advice now and then that his
admiration of her knowledge constantly increased. There were but few
men in sight as they crossed the head of the canyon, and came slowly
down past the blacksm