uld come West weak and sick, and fight your way to
health, and learn to be self-sufficient! It is a splendid achievement.
It amazes me. I don't grasp it. I want to think. Nevertheless I--"

"What?" he queried, as she hesitated.

"Oh, never mind now," she replied, hastily, averting her eyes.

The day was far spent when Carley returned to the Lodge--and in spite of
the discomfort of cold and sleet, and the bitter wind that beat in her
face as she struggled up the trail--it was a day never to be forgotten.
Nothing had been wanting in Glenn's attention or affection. He had been
comrade, lover, all she craved for. And but for his few singular words
about work and children there had been no serious talk. Only a play day
in his canyon and his cabin! Yet had she appeared at her best? Something
vague and perplexing knocked at the gate of her consciousness.

CHAPTER IV

Two warm sunny days in early May inclined Mr. Hutter to the opinion that
pleasant spring weather was at hand and that it would be a propitious
time to climb up on the desert to look after his sheep interests. Glenn,
of course, would accompany him.

"Carley and I will go too," asserted Flo.

"Reckon that'll be good," said Hutter, with approving nod.

His wife also agreed that it would be fine for Carley to see the
beautiful desert country round Sunset Peak. But Glenn looked dubious.

"Carley, it'll be rather hard," he said. "You're soft, and riding and
lying out will stove you up. You ought to break in gradually."

"I rode ten miles today," rejoined Carley. "And didn't mind it--much."
This was a little deviation from stern veracity.

"Shore Carley's well and strong," protested Flo. "She'll get sore, but
that won't kill her."

Glenn eyed Flo with rather penetrating glance. "I might drive Carley
round about in the car," he said.

"But you can't drive over those lava flats, or go round, either. We'd
have to send horses in some cases miles to meet you. It's horseback if
you go at all."

"Shore we'll go horseback," spoke up Flo. "Carley has got it all over
that Spencer girl who was here last summer."

"I think so, too. I am sure I hope so. Because you remember what the
ride to Long Valley did to Miss Spencer," rejoined Glenn.

"What?" inquired Carley.

"Bad cold, peeled nose, skinned shin, saddle sores. She was in bed two
days. She didn't show much pep the rest of her stay here, and she never
got on another horse."

"Oh, is that all, Glenn?"