rself from him. He
let her go, and she retreated into the darkness behind her.

"What is it, partner?" he said gently. "You've nothing to be
afraid of."

There was no reproach in his voice, yet something within reproached
her instantly. She put on slippers and dressing-gown and went back
to him.

"I've had a stupid dream," she said. "I expect I heard your horse
outside. So--you have come back alone!"

"He has gone back to his own cabin," Burke said.

"Burke!" She looked at him with startled, reproachful eyes. Her
hair lay in a fiery cloud about her shoulders, and fire burned in
her gaze as she faced him.

He made a curious gesture as if he restrained some urging impulse,
not speaking for a moment. When his voice came again it sounded
cold, with an odd note of defiance. "I've done my best."

She still looked at him searchingly. "Why wouldn't he come here?"
she said.

He turned from her with a movement that almost seemed to indicate
impatience "He preferred not to. There isn't much accommodation
here. Besides, he can very well fend for himself. He's used to
it."

"I have been preparing for him all day," Sylvia said. She looked
at him anxiously, struck by something unusual in his pose, and
noted for the first time a wide strip of plaster on one side of his
chin. "Is all well?" she questioned. "How have you hurt your
face?"

He did not look at her. "Yes, all's well," he said. "I cut
myself--shaving. You go back to bed! I'm going to refresh before
I turn in."

Sylvia turned to a cupboard in the room where she had placed some
eatables before retiring. She felt chill with foreboding. What
was it that Burke was hiding behind that curt manner? She was sure
there was something.

"What will Guy do for refreshment?" she said, as she set dishes and
plates upon the table.

"He'll have some tinned stuff in that shanty of his," said Burke.

She turned from the table with abrupt resolution. "Have something
to eat, partner," she said, "and then tell me all about it!"

She looked for the sudden gleam of his smile, but she looked in
vain. He regarded her, indeed, but it was with sombre eyes.

"You go back to bed!" he reiterated. "There is no necessity for
you to stay up. You can see him for yourself in the morning."

He would have seated himself at the table with the words, but she
laid a quick, appealing hand upon his arm, deterring him. "Burke!"
she said. "What is the matter? Please