it was too dark to see. At the relay station we waited an
hour for the moon, after which it was a clear track. We reached
the half-way ranch about eleven, and while changing the stage
horses I roused Mrs. Klostermeyer, and succeeded in getting
enough cold mutton and bread to make two rather decent-looking
sandwiches. With these and a glass of whiskey and water I went
to the stage, to find Miss Cullen curled up on the seat asleep,
her head resting in her brother's arms.

"She has nearly worried herself to death ever since you told her
that road agents were hung," Frederic whispered; "and she's been
crying to-night over that lie she told you, and altogether she's
worn out with travel and excitement."

I screwed the cover on the travelling-glass, and put it with the
sandwiches in the bottom of the stage. "It's a long and a rough
ride," I said, "and if she wakes up they may give her a little
strength. I only wish I could have spared her the fatigue and
anxiety."

"She thought she had to lie for father's sake, but she's nearly
broken-hearted over it," he continued.

I looked Frederic in the face as I said, "I honor her for it,"
and in that moment he and I became friends.

"Just see how pretty she is!" he whispered, with evident
affection and pride, turning back the flap of the rug in which
she was wrapped.

She was breathing gently, and there was just that touch of
weariness and sadness in her face that would appeal to any man.
It made me gulp, I'm proud to say; and when I was back on my
pony, I said to myself, "For her sake, I'll pull the Cullens out
of this scrape, if it costs me my position."

CHAPTER VII

A CHANGE OF BASE

We did not reach Flagstaff till seven, and I told the stage-load
to take possession of their car, while I went to my own. It took
me some time to get freshened up, and then I ate my breakfast;
for after riding seventy-two miles in one night even the most
heroic purposes have to take the side-track. I think, as it was,
I proved my devotion pretty well by not going to sleep, since I
had been up three nights, with only such naps as I could steal in
the saddle, and had ridden over a hundred and fifty miles to
boot. But I couldn't bear to think of Miss Cullen's anxiety, and
the moment I had made myself decent, and finished eating, I went
into 218.

The party were all in the dining-room, but it was a very
different-looking crowd from the one with which that first
breakfast had been e