"How long must I stay away?" he faltered.

She could scarcely speak, so desperate she felt. O if she dared but say,

"Forever," and shout it at him! She was desperate enough to try her

chances at shooting him if she but had the pistols, and was sure they were

loaded--a desperate chance indeed against the best shot on the Pacific

coast, and a desperado at that.

She pressed her hands to her throbbing temples, and tried to think. At

last she faltered out, "Three days!"

He swore beneath his breath, and his brows drew down in heavy frowns that

were not good to see. She shuddered at what it would be to be in his power

forever. How he would play with her and toss her aside! Or kill her,

perhaps, when he was tired of her! Her life on the mountain had made her

familiar with evil characters.

He came a step nearer, and she felt she was losing ground.

Straightening up, she said coolly: "You must go away at once, and not think of coming back at least until

to-morrow night. Go!" With wonderful control she smiled at him, one

frantic, brilliant smile; and to her great wonder he drew back. At the

door he paused, a softened look upon his face.

"Mayn't I kiss you before I go?"

She shuddered involuntarily, but put out her hands in protest again. "Not

to-night!" She shook her head, and tried to smile.

He thought he understood her, but turned away half satisfied. Then she

heard his step coming back to the door again, and she went to meet him. He

must not come in. She had gained in sending him out, if she could but

close the door fast. It was in the doorway that she faced him as he stood

with one foot ready to enter again. The crafty look was out upon his face

plainly now, and in the sunlight she could see it.

"You will be all alone to-night."

"I am not afraid," calmly. "And no one will trouble me. Don't you know

what they say about the spirit of a man--" she stopped; she had almost

said "a man who has been murdered"--"coming back to his home the first

night after he is buried?" It was her last frantic effort.

The man before her trembled, and looked around nervously.

"You better come away to-night with me," he said, edging away from the

door.

"See, the sun is going down! You must go now," she said imperiously; and

reluctantly the man mounted his restless horse, and rode away down the

mountain.




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