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Jean himself writhed under the lash of her scorn Gaston Isbel turned a dead white He could not answer her He see his head, he reure; and he did not stir until the rapid beat of hoofs denoted the approach of horse a pack aniroup of men, all heavily armed, and likeith packs

"Get down an' co "Bill--you look after their packs Better leave the hosses saddled"

The booted and spurred riders trooped in, and their demeanor fitted their errand Jean was acquainted with all of them Fredericks was a lanky Texan, the color of dust, and he had yellow, clear eyes, like those of a hawk His mother had been an Isbel Gordon, too, was related to Jean's fah distantly He resembled an industrious minerof the visitors, as he was the ray-eyed man, with years of coritten all over him, he looked the quiet, easy, cool, and deadly Texan he was reputed to be Blue's Texas record was shady, and was seldom alluded to, as unfavorable comment had turned out to be hazardous He was the only one of the group who did not carry a rifle But he packed two guns, a habit not often noted in Texans, and almost never in Arizonians

Colestwith Ann affected Jean powerfully, and brought to a cli in Jean's mind His sister devotedly loved this lean-faced, keen-eyed Arizonian; and it took no great insight to discover that Col life before them It seemed to Jean a pity that Colmor should be drawn into this war Jean watched them, as they conversed apart; and he saw Ann's hands creep up to Colry, fearful, lifted with queries her lips did not speak Jean stepped beside them, and laid an arm over both their shoulders

"Colmor, for Ann's sake you'd better back out of this Jorth-Isbel fight," he whispered

Colmor looked insulted "But, Jean, it's Ann's father," he said "I'm almost one of the family"

"You're Ann's sweetheart, an', by Heaven, I say you oughtn't to go with us!" whispered Jean

"Go--with--you," faltered Ann