acks, and you know it. Only Wrangle can do
that."

"I'll bet that big raw-boned brute can more'n show his heels to your
black racers. Jane, out there in the sage, on a long chase, Wrangle
could kill your favorites."

"No, no," replied Jane, impatiently. "Lassiter, why do you say that
so often? I know you've teased me at times, and I believe it's only
kindness. You're always trying to keep my mind off worry. But you mean
more by this repeated mention of my racers?"

"I reckon so." Lassiter paused, and for the thousandth time in her
presence moved his black sombrero round and round, as if counting the
silver pieces on the band. "Well, Jane, I've sort of read a little
that's passin' in your mind."

"You think I might fly from my home--from Cottonwoods--from the Utah
border?"

"I reckon. An' if you ever do an' get away with the blacks I wouldn't
like to see Wrangle left here on the sage. Wrangle could catch you. I
know Venters had him. But you can never tell. Mebbe he hasn't got him
now.... Besides--things are happenin', an' somethin' of the same queer
nature might have happened to Venters."

"God knows you're right!... Poor Bern, how long he's gone! In my trouble
I've been forgetting him. But, Lassiter, I've little fear for him. I've
heard my riders say he's as keen as a wolf.... As to your reading my
thoughts--well, your suggestion makes an actual thought of what was
only one of my dreams. I believe I dreamed of flying from this wild
borderland, Lassiter. I've strange dreams. I'm not always practical
and thinking of my many duties, as you said once. For instance--if I
dared--if I dared I'd ask you to saddle the blacks and ride away with
me--and hide me."

"Jane!"

The rider's sunburnt face turned white. A few times Jane had seen
Lassiter's cool calm broken--when he had met little Fay, when he had
learned how and why he had come to love both child and mistress, when he
had stood beside Milly Erne's grave. But one and all they could not be
considered in the light of his present agitation. Not only did Lassiter
turn white--not only did he grow tense, not only did he lose his
coolness, but also he suddenly, violently, hungrily took her into his
arms and crushed her to his breast.

"Lassiter!" cried Jane, trembling. It was an action for which she took
sole blame. Instantly, as if dazed, weakened, he released her. "Forgive
me!" went on Jane. "I'm always forgetting your--your feelings. I thought
of you as my faithfu