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Jorth could be heard breathing in difficulty, and he coughed and spat again, and seemed to hiss

"Ellen, he lied to y'u They'll never meet us--heah!"

"Why not?" whispered Ellen

"Because--Ellen--" he replied, in husky pants, "your dad an'--uncle Jackson--are daid--an' buried!"

If Ellen suffered a terrible shock it was a blankness, a deadness, and a slow, creeping failure of sense in her knees They gave way under her and she sank on the grass against the cabin wall She did not faint nor grow dizzy nor lose her sight, but for a while there was no process of thought in herof her heart--followed by a profound erief and bitter realization

An hour later Ellen found strength to go to the fire and partake of the food and drink her body sorely needed

Colter and the men waited on her solicitously, and in silence, now and then stealing furtive glances at her froht settled down like a blanket There were no stars The windthe pines, and all about that lonely, hidden recess was in haraot it froame," said Queen, in mild protest

"Not to ame when he's croakin', with somebody around But Lee Jorth an' Jackson--they alas yellow clear to their gizzards They was born in Louisiana--not Texas Shore they're no ot another strain in her blood"

To Ellen their words had noShe rose and asked, "Where can I sleep?"

"I'll fetch a light presently an' y'u can make your bed in there by Tad," replied Colter

"Yes, I'd like that"

"Wal, if y'u reckon y'u can coax hi," declared Colter, with that cold timbre of voice that struck like steel on Ellen's nerves "I cussed hiood an' told hih an' that fetches up the blood Besides, I reckon I'ot killed Tad didn't see it done, an' he was bad hurt when it happened Shore all the fellars left have their idee aboot it But I've got it straight"