out girls' hats. But
to see you away up here----"

She forced a flicker of a smile.

"It seems quite natural to find you here in the woods, though I believe
you did tell me that your home is over Tomah way."

He was not able to understand the strange expression on her countenance.
And she, on her part, was not able to look at him with complete
composure; she remembered the character given to this man by Craig, and
she had ventured to give him something else in her report--the swagger
of a _roue_ and a black mustache!

There was an awkward moment and he put his cap back on his head. He
looked about as if wondering if she expected friends. He had treasured
every word of hers in the cafeteria. She had spoken of the woods as if
her home had been there at one time.

"I'm not expecting anybody to meet me--here--to-day," she informed him,
understanding his side glances. She was showing incertitude,
uneasiness--as if she were slipping back into a former mood after the
prick of her surprise. "There's a hotel here, I suppose."

He took her traveling case from her hand, muttering a proffer to assist
her. They walked away together. For the second time the loafers at
Adonia saw Latisan escorting a strange woman along the street, and this
one, also, was patently from the city, in spite of her modest attire.

"Seems to be doing quite a wholesale business, importing dynamite and
wimmen," observed a cynic.

"According to the stories in Tomah, he has put in quite a lot of time
looking over the market in regard to that last-named," agreed another
detractor.

"And when Eck Flagg gets the news I'd rather take my chances with the
dynamite than with the wimmen," stated the cynic.

"I guess I talked to you like an idiot at first," said Latisan, when he
and his companion were apart from the persons on the station platform.
"I'm getting control of my surprise. I remember you told me you were
homesick for the woods. That's why you're up here, I suppose."

"It's one reason, Mr. Latisan."

"I'm sorry it isn't a better time of year. I'd like to--to--If you
aren't going to be tied up too much with friends, I could show you
around a little. But right now I'm tied up, myself. I'm drive master for
Echford Flagg--you remember about speaking of him."

"Yes; but I shall not trouble Mr. Flagg," she hastened to say. "He will
not be interested in me simply on account of my friends. You are very
busy on the drive, are you?" she questioned, earn