It was a moment fraught with possibilities and
she was fully aware that the smallest concession on her part would pave
the way to reconciliation. But she did not know of the bitter travail in
which he had labored the livelong night, and the significance of his
closing words evaded her understanding.

Attributing all the foregone evils to Matlock's personal hatred of him,
and deeming himself therefore solely responsible for the damage
inflicted by that worthy, he had quixotically resolved to remain in
Carter's employ until his salary had accumulated to an amount sufficient
to recoup the latter for all the loss sustained. That end attained, he
would find Matlock--the rest was simple.

Nothing of this she knew, and yet she was conscious of a great
impellment to be kind to this man. She had half arisen with a gracious
word of thanks for his herculean labors in the behalf of her brother on
her lips, when, by some fatality, the morning wrap she was wearing
dropped from her shoulders. It was unfortunate that his eyes fell on the
instant. When he again raised them she had caught up the garment and
with a care so exaggerated that it sent the blood to his face, was
haughtily fastening it about her throat. Her intent was unmistakable and
he hardened like adamant. All too late she repented; that one second of
perversity had undone a whole night's chastening and his voice was as
cold as ice when he resumed:

"I will therefore be unable to meet your brother on his arrival. You can
say to him that he will lose nothing by last night's work. I am going
out to the ditch now and will not return until it has been fully
restored." Then with an almost imperceptible inclination of his head, he
left her without another look.

Turning uneasily in the hammock, she discovered for the first time that
the entrance to the bunkhouse was visible through the interstices of the
wistaria. The door was open to admit the solace of the balmy air to the
wounded man, whose pale face with its closed eyes was plainly
discernible in the semi-gloom of the darkened room. Shuddering slightly,
she put her hands before her eyes, lowering them at the very moment
that Douglass, belted and spurred, led his saddled horse up to the
door.

She watched him enter, noting that he removed his sombrero on crossing
the threshold. His every movement betokened care and caution, indicating
his solicitude not to awaken the sleeper. Unconsciously she admired the
sinuous, almost