he county road ten miles further west. He offered no
explanation, his men asked none. It was but another indication to them
of the thing which was already no secret, that there was some sort of
serious trouble between Wayne Shandon and Martin Leland.

Wayne and Garth intended to stay that night at the range house, being
the last two men to leave, after attending to the countless little
things which must be done about a ranch before it is abandoned to the
winter and solitude. They planned to follow the rest of the Bar L-M
outfit in the morning.

Even Martin Leland who usually moved his stock early had been caught
unprepared. The fine weather preceding the storm had tricked him; he
had not planned the drive until two weeks yet. He, too, having worked
with his men all day, having ridden the first half dozen miles with
them, came back to spend the night at his home.

That afternoon, while the men of both ranges were doing two days' work
in one, Willie Dart called upon Wanda. Mr. Dart made it a part of his
business in life to be on good terms with every one. He ignored the
contemptuous grunts of Wanda's father, and in speaking of him referred
to him as, "My old pal, Mart." Martin tolerated him, Mrs. Leland was
amused by him, Wanda welcomed him as coming from Wayne's home, as
always a possible bearer of tidings from Wayne himself. And such he
was to-day.

For there had been no time for signalling, the snow had veiled the
cliffs across the miles, and Wayne must send word of his sudden
necessary change of plans. So he entrusted a note to Mr. Dart, having
first sealed it in its envelope and informed the carrier that if he
pried into it the police in New York would learn by telegraph of the
present whereabouts of Mr. Dart.

Wanda and Dart were alone in the big living room while Mrs. Leland was
busied with Julia in making preparations within the house for the siege
of winter. As she left the room Mr. Dart winked slyly at Wanda, tapped
his breast pocket, winked the other eye and assumed the air of a man
bearing secret and very mysterious messages. In due time he brought
out the letter, the flap of the envelope showing so little sign of
having been tampered with that it was not to be expected that the eager
girl would note it. Mr. Dart afterwards admitted that he prided
himself upon the appearance of that envelope, all things, including
inclement weather, considered--and presented it with a whispered,

"Red would