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Rhoda made no reply Such a passion of hatred for the man shook her that words failed her She turned a white face toward hi with passion

Kut-le laughed softly

"Hate me, Rhoda! Hate me as much as you wish! That's a heapof dying of ennui now!"

What fiend, thought Rhoda, ever had induced her toto the pommel of her saddle, her eyes fastened on him If only he would drop dead as he sat! If only his Indians would turn on hih the desert now, desert thick-groith cactus and sage-brush Suddenly a far away roar came to Rhoda's ears There was a faint whistle repeated with increasing loudness Off to the north appeared a light that grew till it threw a dazzling bearoup The train passed, a half-dozen di decreased, the whistle sounded lower and lower and the night was silent Rhoda sat following the last di eyes Kut-le led the way fro of the desert to the road-bed As Rhoda saw the long line of rails the panic of the previous night overwhel, unmindful of the strap about her waist she threw herself froainst the stolid pony Kut-le disirl dropped to the ties and lay crouched with her face against the steel rail

"O John! O John DeWitt!" she sobbed

"Alchise, go ahead with the horses," said Kut-le "Wait for me at the painted rock"

Then as the Indians beca the track he lifted Rhoda to her feet

"Walk for a while," he said "It will rest you Poor little girl! I wish I could have ed differently but this was best for you Coe instinct stirred in Rhoda For the first tier

"I'm not afraid of you, you Apache Indian!" she said clearly "I loathe you! Your touch poisons me! But I'm not afraid of you! I shall choke myself with my bare hands before you shall harh I shall try to kill you!"

Kut-le gave a short laugh

"Listen, Rhoda Your protests show that you are afraid of me But you need not be Your protection lies in the fact that I love you--love you with all the passion of a savage, all the restraint of a Caucasian I'd rather die than har you! Rhoda! Dear one!" He paused and Rhoda could hear his quickened breath Then he added lightly, "Let's get on with our little stroll!"