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Helen, laughing, looked first at her sister, and thought how ood to look at Bo was little, instinct with pulsating life, and she had chestnut hair and dark-blue eyes These eyes were flashing, roguish, and they drew like nets

Outside on the rude station platfor cowboys Long, lean, bow-legged fellows they were, with young, frank faces and intent eyes One of them seemed particularly attractive with his superb build, his red-bronze face and bright-red scarf, his swinging gun, and the huge, long, curved spurs Evidently he caught Bo's adaze, for, with a word to his coirls sat His gait was singular, al spurs jingled musically He re Helen liked hi to see what effect he had upon Bo, she found that young lady staring, frightened stiff

"Good ood-huht you-all be travelin'?"

The sound of his voice, the clean-cut and droll geniality; seedalena--then take stage for the White Mountains," replied Helen

The cowboy's still, intent eyes showed surprise

"Apache country, miss," he said "I reckon I'in' your pawdin--you ain't Mormons?"

"No We're nieces of Al Auchincloss," rejoined Helen

"Wal, you don't say! I've been down Magdalena way an' heerd of Al Reckon you're goin' a-visitin'?"

"It's to be hoirls Yes, I've heerd of Al An old Arizona cattle-man in a sheep country! Thet's bad Now I'm wonderin'--if I'd drift down there an' ask hiet it?"

His lazy s was as clear as crystal water The gaze he bent upon Bo sorown prettier all the tilances This one of the cowboy's inspired respect and liking, as well as amusement It certainly was not lost upon Bo

"My uncle once said in a letter that he never had enough o I reckon I'd jest naturally drift that way--now"

He seemed so laconic, so easy, so nice, that he could not have been taken seriously, yet Helen's quick perceptions registered a daring, a so that was both sudden and inevitable in him His last as as clear as the soft look he fixed upon Bo