yself on shore.

"I suppose it was the excitement of the fire that carried me on through
the day, but at night--you remember?--there came a reaction, and I
couldn't keep awake. I suddenly seemed to feel that I was safe, and I
could sleep."

Grant had resumed his seat. He was deeply moved by this strange
confidence; he bent his eyes intently upon her face, now shining in the
ruddy light from the fire-place. Her frank reference to the event that
night seemed to create a new bond between them; he knew now, if ever
he had doubted it, that Zen Transley had treasured that incident in her
heart even as he had treasured it.

"I was so embarrassed after the--the accident, you know," she continued.
"I knew you must know I had been in the water. For days and weeks I
expected every hour to hear of the finding of the body. I expected to
hear the remark dropped casually by every new visitor at the ranch,
'Drazk's body was found to-day in the river. The Mounted Police are
investigating.' But time went on and nothing was heard of it. It would
almost have been a relief to me if it had been discovered. If I had
reported the affair at once, as I should have done, all would have been
different, but having kept my secret for a while I found it impossible
to confess it later. It was the first time I ever felt my self-reliance
severely shaken.... But what was his message, and why did you not tell
me before?"

"Because I attached no value to it; because I was, perhaps, a little
ashamed of it. I learned something of his weaknesses at the Front.
According to Drazk's statement of it he won the war, and could as easily
win another, if occasion presented itself, so when he said, 'If ever you
see Y.D.'s daughter tell her I'm well; she'll be glad to hear it,' I put
it down to his usual boasting and thought no more about it. I thought he
was trying to impress me with the idea that you were interested in him,
which was a very absurd supposition, as I saw it."

"Well, now you know," she said, with a little laugh. "I'm glad it's off
my mind."

"Of course your husband knows?"

"No. That made it harder. I never told Frank."

She arose and walked to the fire-place, pretending to stir the logs.
When she had seated herself again she continued.

"It has not been easy for me to tell all things to Frank. Don't
misunderstand me; he has been a model husband, according to my
standards."

"According to your standards?"

"According to my standards--whe