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As twilight deepened, Katherine lay in the ha effect of the darkness on her aching eyes She felt a little troubled about Kut-le She was very fond of the young Indian She understood him as did no one else, perhaps, and had the utmost faith in his honor and loyalty She suspected that Rhoda had hadIndian's sudden departure and she felt irritated with the girl, though at the saed that Rhoda had done only what she, Katherine, had advised--had treated Kut-le as if he had been a white man!

She watched the trail for Rhoda's return but darkness caure A little disturbed, she walked to the corral bars and looked down to the lights of the cowboys' quarters If only John DeWitt and Jack would return! But she did not expect theht She returned to the house and telephoned to the ranch foreman

"Don't you worry, ma'am," he answered cheerily "No harot dark and is just starting for hoht of the ranch lights"

"But she may have! You can't tell what she's done, she's such a tenderfoot," insisted Katherine nervously "She may have been hurt!"

It ell that Katherine could not see the fore the conversation It had a decided scowl of apprehension, but he ot nervous, Mrs Newman! I'll just send three or four of the boys out to meet her Eh?"

"Oh, yes, do!" cried Katherine "I shall feel easier Good-by!"

Dick Free bunk-house

"Boys," he said quietly, "Mrs Newman just 'phoned one half an hour She ain't got back yet She is alone Will some of you come with me?"

Every hand of cards was dropped before Dick was half through his state slowly out into the desert For two hours Katherine paced fro-rooed her light evening gown to her khaki riding habit Her nervousness grew to panic She sent Li Chung to bed, then she paced the lawn, listening, listening

At last she heard the thud of hoofs and Dick Freeht that streamed from the open door

"We haven't found her, Mrs Newanized search"