r
husband placed you in my charge, and I must ask for obedience," he said.
"You will eat and drink what you see there, and then go to sleep. I will
take good care of Mr. Grant."

He drew Larry away and sat talking with him for a while, then bade an
orderly find him a waterproof sheet and rug. Larry was asleep within ten
minutes, and the moon was shining above the bluff when he awakened and
moved to the tent where Hetty lay. Drawing back the canvas, he crept in
softly and dropped almost reverently on one knee beside her. He could hear
her faint, restful breathing, and the little hand he felt for was
pleasantly cool. As he stooped and touched her forehead with his lips, the
fingers closed a trifle on his own, and the girl moved in her sleep.
"Larry," she said drowsily, "Larry, dear!"

Grant drew his hand away very softly, and went out with his heart
throbbing furiously, to find Cheyne waiting in the vicinity. His face
showed plain in the moonlight, and it was quietly grave; but Grant once
more saw the expression in it that had astonished him. Now, however, he
understood it, and Cheyne knew that he did so. They stood quite still a
moment, looking into each other's eyes.

"Mrs. Grant is resting well?" Cheyne asked.

"Yes," said Larry. "I owe a good deal to you."

It did not express what they felt, but they understood each other, and
Cheyne smiled a little. "You need not thank me yet. Your case will require
consideration, and if the new Sheriff urges his predecessor's charge, I
shall pass it on. In the meantime I have sent to Windsor for a buggy, in
which you can take Mrs. Grant away to-morrow."

It was early next morning when the buggy arrived, and Cheyne, who ordered
two troopers to lead the hired horses, had a hasty breakfast served. When
the plates had been removed he turned to Hetty with a smile.

"I have decided to release your husband--on condition that he drives
straight back to his homestead and stays there with you," he said. "The
State has undertaken to keep order and give every man what he is entitled
to now; and if we find Mr. Grant has a finger in any further trouble, I
shall blame you."

He handed Hetty into the buggy, passed the reins to Larry, and stood alone
looking after them as they drove away. Hetty turned to her husband, with a
blush in her cheek.

"Larry," she said softly, "I have something to tell you."

Grant checked her with a smile. "I have guessed it already; and it means a
new respons