error
was, if possible, intensified. Suddenly a great pity for her rose up
in his heart. All his love was stirred to the almost limitless depths
of his big heart. How he loved this woman! How he longed to take her
to his heart, and shelter her from all the cruel buffeting of a harsh
life! How he would fight for her, strive for her, work for her--and
now? He thought of the brand that had fallen upon him, and he thought
of that something which her sudden terrified glance had stirred in his
unsuspicious mind.

"Guess I'll get on to the saloon, as Peter isn't in his hut," he said,
in a quiet, unmeaning tone. "I'll see if I can locate Elia for you."
He paused, and then swung into the saddle. Glancing down at her, he
leaned forward and spoke earnestly. "Eve," he said, "it still stands
good: the old order. When you need me--for anything, mind--you've only
got to send me word. Wherever I am I'll come." He straightened up. He
saw the girl make an effort to swallow, and glanced away to give her a
chance to recover her composure. As he did so he saw a number of women
and some men scattered about at the doorways of various houses. He
promptly turned to the girl.

"Gee!" he cried, with a slightly forced laugh. "The vultures are
around. They're looking for scandal, and, by the signs, I'd say they
guess they've found it. To a man--or woman--they're staring this way.
Say, I'll get going. Good-bye--and don't forget."

He rode off. Eve had not spoken. She knew that he knew, and she was
overwhelmed at the knowledge. She slowly turned to the house, and with
weary steps passed up the narrow pathway.

And Jim? The moment his face was turned from her his smile died out,
leaving it stern and hard.

CHAPTER XXII

THE VIGILANCE COMMITTEE

Silas Rocket's saloon was more than usually desirable just now. There
was so much news of an exciting nature going about. Of course, fertile
invention was brought to bear in its purveyance, but that only made it
the more exciting.

On the morning that brought Jim Thorpe into Barnriff many of the men
of the village were partaking of a general hash up of the overnight
dish of news, to which was added the delectable condiment of Jim's
sudden advent in their midst. From the windows of the saloon his
movements were closely watched, as, also, were they from many of the
village houses. Speculation was rife. Curious eyes and bitter thoughts
were in full play, while his meeting with Eve Henderson was