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When Rhoda entered the dining-room some of her pallor seeown of an elusive pink that gave a rose flush to thewith a wiry, ed man who man Porter stood as if stunned for a moment by Rhoda's delicate loveliness Then, as was the custouely about for so Rhoda's hand and leading her to the table Jack's curly blond hair looked almost white in contrast with his tanned face He was not as tall as either Cartwell or DeWitt but he was strong and clean-cut and had a boyish look despite the heavy responsibilities of his five-thousand-acre ranch

"There," he said, placing Rhoda beside Porter; "just attach Porter's scalp to your belt with the rest of your collection It'll be a new experience to him Don't be afraid, Porter"

Billy Porter was not in the least e my scalp to the Apaches to be scared by Miss Tuttle Anyhow I gave her my scalp without a yelp the minute I laid eyes on her"

"Here! That's not fair!" cried John DeWitt "The rest of us had to work to get her to take ours!"

"Our what?" asked Cartwell, entering the rooroomed in white flannels

Billy Porter stared at the newcomer and dropped his soup-spoon with a splash "What in thunder!" Rhoda heard him mutter

Jack Newineer, Mr Porter"

Porter responded to the young Indian's courteous boith a surly nod, and proceeded with his soup

"I'd as soon eat with a nigger as an Injun," he said to Rhoda under cover of so remark of Katherine's to Cartwell

"He seeh, Katherine is a little liberal,at all in this open desert country?" asked DeWitt "I certainly hate to go back to New York with nothing but sunburn to show for es," volunteered Cartwell "I knohere there is a nest of wildcats up on the first mesa And I know an Indian ill tan the pelts for you, like velvet A jack-rabbit pelt well tanned is an exquisite thing too, by the way I will go on a hunt with you whenever the ditch can be left"