. Wentz's thoughts were of a different
nature. If she were not so tanned and wore the clothes of
civilization--she had the features, and, by George! she had a figure!
These interesting mental comments were interrupted by a sudden dilation
of Kate's pupils as though from some sudden mental excitement. The gray
iris grew luminous, he noticed, while her face was flooded with color,
as though she had been startled.

"I will consider it."

The answer was noncommittal, but the graceful sweeping gesture with
which he stroked his mustache as she departed was one of satisfaction.
Mr. Wentz had a notion that after looking at him for all these years
the young woman had just really seen him.

The banker returned to his desk, opened a drawer and extracted a small
mirror, in which he regarded himself surreptitiously. What was it about
him--what one thing in particular, he wondered, that was so compelling
that even a woman like this Kate Prentice must relent at his first sign
of interest? Was it his appearance or his personality?

In the pleasing occupation of contemplating his own features and trying
to answer these absorbing questions, Mr. Wentz forgot temporarily that
Neifkins, in violation of the law governing such matters, was in debt to
the bank beyond the amount of his holdings as director, and behind with
his interest--a condition which had disturbed the president not a little
because it was so fraught with unpleasant possibilities.

CHAPTER XVII

EXTREMES MEET

Kate raised herself on an elbow and looked out through the open window
above her bunk where the first streak of dawn was showing. The soft air
was redolent of things growing and the pungent odor of sagebrush. The
bush birds were chirping furiously; all the soul-stirring magic of
spring in the foothills was in its perfection; but it conveyed nothing
to Kate save the fact that another day was beginning in which to get
through the work she had outlined.

She was like that now--practical, driving, sparing neither herself nor
others--apparently without sentiment or any outside interest. Her sheep
and that which pertained to them seemed to fill her whole horizon.

The interior of the wagon alone was sufficient to disclose the change in
Kate. As the growing light made the dim outlines clearer it brought out
on the floor and side benches a promiscuous clutter that contained
nothing suggesting a feminine occupant. There was no scrollwork in soap
on the window