e said quickly.

"I must have jammed my knee against a rock," he explained. "Nothing
serious."

"But it pains?"

"Just enough to let me know it's there."

Frowning, she watched him.

"Is it a bruise or a sprain?"

"A wrench, I think. It will be all right if I favor it"

"Favor it? Except the ranch, there is no place nearer than seven miles.
You are staying at Corbett's, I presume?"

"Yes."

"You can't walk back there to-night. That is certain." She slipped from
the saddle. "You'll have to go back to the ranch with me, sir. I can
walk very well."

He felt a wave of color sweep his face.

"I couldn't take the horse and let you walk."

"That is nonsense, sir. You can, and you shall."

"If I am to take your horse I need not saddle myself upon your
hospitality. I can ride back to Corbett's, and send the horse home
to-morrow."

"It is seven miles to Miguel's, and Corbett's is three beyond that. No
doctor would advise that long ride before your knee receives attention,
I think, sir, you will have to put up with the ranch till to-morrow."

"You ain't taking my intention right. All I meant was that I didn't like
to unload myself on your folks; but if you say I'm to do it I'll be very
happy to be your guest." He said it with a touch of boyish embarrassment
she found becoming.

"We'll stop at the top of the hill and take on my drawing things," she
told him.

He need have had no fears for her as a walker, for she was of the elect
few born to grace of motion. Slight she was, yet strong; the delicacy
that breathed from her was of the spirit, and consisted with perfect
health. No Grecian nymph could have trod with lighter or surer step nor
have unconsciously offered to the eye more supple and beautiful lines of
limb and body.

Never had the young man seen before anybody whose charm went so
poignantly to the root of his emotions. Every turn of the head, the set
of the chin, the droop of the long, thick lashes on the soft cheek, the
fling of a gesture, the cadence of her voice; they all delighted and
fascinated him. She was a living embodiment of joy-in-life, of love
personified.

She packed her sketches and her paraphernalia with businesslike
directness, careless of whether he did or did not see her water-colors.
A movement of his hand stayed her as she took from, the easel the one
upon which she had been engaged.

It represented the sun-drenched slope below them, with the little gulch
dressed riotously in