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"So I was told," replied Jean "An' I heard' ot run out of Texas Any truth in that?"

"Shore I reckon there is," she replied, seriously "But, stranger, it ht not be healthy for y'u to, say that anywhere My dad, for one, was not run out of Texas Shore I never can see why he came heah He's accumulated stock, but he's not rich nor so well off as he was back hooin' to stay here always?" queried Jean, suddenly

"If I do so it 'll be in rave," she answered, darkly "But what's the use of thinkin'? People stay places until they drift away Y'u can never tell Well, stranger, this talk is keepin' y'u"

She seemed moody now, and a note of detachment crept into her voice Jean rose at once and went for his horse If this girl did not desire to talk further he certainly had no wish to annoy her Hissheep Jean drove it back and then led his horse up to where the girl stood She appeared taller and, though not of robust build, she was vigorous and lithe, with so about her that fitted the place Jean was loath to bid her good-by

"Which way is the Riirths

"South," she replied, pointing "It's only a mile or so I'll walk doith y'u Suppose y'u're on the way to Grass Valley?"

"Yes; I've relatives there," he returned He dreaded her next question, which he suspected would concern his na up her rifle she turned away Jean strode ahead to her side "Reckon if you walk I won't ride"

So he found hiirl with the free step of a Mountaineer Her bare, brown head caraceful, well held, and the thick hair on it was a shiny, soft brown She wore it in a braid, rather untidily and tangled, he thought, and it was tied with a string of buckskin Altogether her apparel proclaiuish for a little He wanted to think what to say presently, and then he felt a rather vague pleasure in stalking beside her Her profile was straight cut and exquisite in line From this side view the soft curve of lips could not be seen