"It's all in the way of progress, so the syndicate fellows tell us," he
remarked, dryly. "Maybe they know. Whilst they're grabbing in all the
money, they may be getting control of all the brains, too."

She flung up her arms and accused herself, passionately: "I have been a
fool. I'd give my very heart to make matters right again!"

"I think so," he admitted. "I reckon you're in earnest."

Again his fixed, appraising stare was disturbing her.

"About Mr. Latisan----" she hurried on. "I can't believe that he'll stay
away long."

"I guess you know as little about the ways of men up here as you know
about the drives, my girl. There's plenty of iron in their natures, but
there isn't much brass in their cheeks. He's done--he can't face the Big
Laugh. He's seen what it has done to others. But you city folks don't
understand woods ways and notions!"

She set her firm teeth over her lower lip to control its quivering. Then
she ventured. It was a resolve born out of her desperate desire to
redeem, if she were able. There was one thing she could do--it seemed a
natural thing to do, in that extremity.

"I have something to ask of you. Please don't be angry! I'm trying to
square myself!"

"Go ahead! I'm ready now to be pretty easy natured when somebody is
really in earnest about helping me."

"Give me your permission to go north and explain to your men why Mr.
Latisan isn't on the drive! I'll tell them everything. I'll open my soul
to those men. They'll understand."

"It's not a girl's job," he declared, sternly.

"I have been trained in a hard school, sir. I have been forced to study
men and to deal with men. I have been sorry because I have been obliged
to do the things I have done. But my knowledge of men may help your
affairs. I am glad I have been through my trials. Let me go north to
your crews! I beg it of you!"

"I don't want to have you messing into any such business. There's
something about you--something that makes me want to put a safeguard
over you, sis, instead of sending you into danger."

"You'll make the danger worse for me if you don't give me that
permission--a word from you to them that I'm your agent." She arose,
flaming with her resolution. "I am going anyway, sir! You can't stop me
from going where I will in the woods."

"You're right!" he admitted, sadly. "I'm so old and helpless that I
can't even boss a girl."

She stood in front of him and put Latisan's cap on her head; she pulled
on t