is face distorted as if by some violent
emotion. But he spoke with restraint, though in a tone that was hard
and harsh.

"Yes, I am afraid of you. The only thing in the world a man needs to
fear is a woman."

The first effect of this speech was to surprise and shock her. The
next was to make her heart leap. Had she come near the secret, after
all? Then, finally, something deep in the man's eyes roused in her a
thrill of pity. In another minute she would have melted, in her
compassion, and begged him humbly to pardon her. But at that instant
Curly emerged from the barn, leading the sorrels; and the devil that
lurks behind a woman's tongue spoke for her before she was aware of
it.

"So you'd rather one of your men took me to Cousin Seth!"

It was scarcely out before she regretted it with all her heart. If
there was a devil behind her tongue there was another back of the
somber shadows in Haig's eyes. He flashed one comprehending look at
her; his whole manner underwent a swift and terrifying change; he was
again the Philip Haig of that day at the post office.

"Great!" he exclaimed. "That will be the best joke of all. I'll drive
you home myself, of course."

For a moment Marion sat very still on the soap box, stunned, staring
open-mouthed at Haig. What had she done? That mad speech! Then she
leaped to her feet.

"No! No!" she cried. "You shall not!"

He smiled at her.

"Shall not?" he repeated sardonically.

"I mean--please not that!" she faltered.

"Why not?" he demanded, almost gaily.

"Oh, please! I didn't mean it that way."

"Of course you didn't mean it! Women never do mean it--that way. And I
suppose you didn't mean to let those men ride on to Paradise when they
told you the horse was mine, did you?"

"Oh!" cried Marion, almost in a scream. "How did you--know?"

He laughed.

"I happened to ask Larkin if he had met nobody on the road who could
have directed him. He said there was no one but a 'purty girl.' That
was you, wasn't it?"

She was speechless.

"And my warning to Huntington. Did you deliver that?"

"No," she answered, scarcely above a whisper.

"Of course not. That would have been too simple and honest and direct.
You can't be honest and straightforward to save your lives. You live
by deception, and boast about your love of truth. Your deepest craving
is for violence, while you prate about your gentle influence over men.
I haven't the least doubt in the world that Mrs. Huntington,