her time during the present ride stealing glances at him. She had
discovered something about him that had eluded her the day before--an
impulsive boyishness. It was hidden behind the manhood of him, so that the
casual observer would not be likely to see it; men would have failed to
see it, because she was certain that with men he would not let it be seen.
But she knew the recklessness that shone in his eyes, the energy that
slumbered in them ready to be applied any moment in response to any whim
that might seize him, were traits that had not yet yielded to the stern
governors of manhood--nor would they yield in many years to come--they
were the fountains of virility that would keep him young. She felt the
irresistible appeal of him, responsive to the youth that flourished in her
own heart--and Corrigan, older, more ponderous, less addicted to impulse,
grew distant in her thoughts and vision. The day before yesterday her
sympathies had been with Corrigan--she had thought. But as she rode she
knew that they were threatening to desert him. For this man of heroic mold
who rode beside her was disquietingly captivating in the bold recklessness
of his youth.

They climbed the far slope of the basin and halted their horses on the
crest. Before them stretched a plain so big and vast and inviting that it
made the girl gasp with delight.

"Oh," she said, awed; "isn't it wonderful?"

"I knew you'd like it."

"The East has nothing like this," she said, with a broad sweep of the
hand.

"No," he said.

She turned on him triumphantly. "There!" she declared; "you have committed
yourself. You are from the East!"

"Well," he said; "I've never denied it."

Something vague and subtle had drawn them together during the ride,
bridging the hiatus of strangeness, making them feel that they had been
acquainted long. It did not seem impertinent to her that she should ask
the question that she now put to him--she felt that her interest in him
permitted it:

"You are an easterner, and yet you have been out here for about ten years.
Your house is big and substantial, but I should judge that it has no
comforts, no conveniences. You live there alone, except for some men, and
you have male servants--if you have any. Why should you bury yourself
here? You are educated, you are young. There are great opportunities for
you in the East!"

She paused, for she saw a cynical expression in his eyes.

"Well?" she said, impatiently, for she had be