ijah gathered up the reins and the horses moved on. They followed the
winding trail down the hill, up the gulch, then a quick turn and the
dark green square cut off the burning rays of the sun.

In front of a little cottage almost hidden by blossoming roses the team
came to a halt. Elijah sprang from the wagon, and Helen caught a glimpse
of a delicately beautiful face among the roses. The next instant it was
hidden from sight upon Elijah's shoulder. Helen could not believe the
voice to be the same that she had just heard.

"Hello, Amy! I've brought you a visitor. Have you got anything to eat?
We're awfully hungry. Driven from Ysleta since six o'clock."

CHAPTER EIGHT

In response to the brusque introduction that followed, Amy turned her
eyes to Helen. The motion was evidently without volition on her part,
only obedience to an unexpressed command. She advanced timidly, with
outstretched hand.

"I am glad to see you; I have heard my husband speak of you very often."

There was a touch of the pride of possession in the words, "My husband,"
but it sounded pleading and doubtful, rather than confident. With the
words, the eyes again sought Elijah.

Helen was outwardly self possessed, inwardly, her thoughts were
confused.

"He speaks _to_ me quite often; I didn't know that he spoke of me."

Elijah was sizzling with impatience.

"This doesn't look much like breakfast." Without even a glance at Amy,
he turned toward the cottage. His words seemed to crowd each other, as
he called back through the door, "You two stay and talk women stuff.
I'll rustle breakfast."

Helen turned to Amy.

"That's considerate, if not complimentary."

"Elijah has no time for compliments; he's too busy." Amy spoke rather
stiffly. She longed with all her heart to follow Elijah; but at the same
time, she was glad of the opportunity to show Helen that she had talents
along other lines than "women stuff."

Helen laughed.

"'Women stuff' isn't so bad as it's painted."

"Why?" Amy inquired blankly.

"Oh, it fills in. One can't always be so terribly in earnest."

"Elijah is."

Helen restrained herself with difficulty. She felt an hysterical and
unreasonable desire to laugh.

"That's why I'm in his office, probably. I'm a relief."

Helen's reply was reassuring to Amy. It was a new reason for the
relations between Elijah and Helen. She accepted it without question.

"I'm afraid that I am too much interested in his work. It isn'