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"Yes, I'll trust you," she said "Get in, and let us hurry Then you can explain"

"All ready, Bill Send 'ee, and, once in, he appeared to fill that side upon which he sat Then the driver cracked his whip; the stage lurched and began to roll; the motley croas left behind Helen awakened to the reality, as she saw Bo staring with big eyes at the hunter, that a stranger adventure than she had ever dreae-coach

Dale laid off his so his rifle between his knees The light shone better upon his features now that he was bareheaded Helen had never seen a face like that, which at first glance appeared darkly bronzed and hard, and then becaht see a smile upon it And now that the die was cast she could not tell why she had trusted it There was singular force in it, but she did not recognize what kind of force One instant she thought it was stern, and the next that it eet, and again that it was neither

"I'ot your sister," he said, presently

"How did you know she's my sister?"

"I reckon she looks like you"

"No one else ever thought so," replied Helen, trying to smile

Bo had no difficulty in s, as she said, "Wish I was half as pretty as Nell"

"Nell Isn't your name Helen?" queried Dale

"Yes But my--some few call me Nell"

"I like Nell better than Helen An' what's yours?" went on Dale, looking at Bo

"Mine's Bo Just plain B-o Isn't it silly? But I wasn't asked when they gave it to me," she replied

"Bo It's nice an' short Never heard it before But I haven't met many people for years"

"Oh! we've left the town!" cried Bo "Look, Nell! How bare! It's just like desert"

"It is desert We've forty lanced out A flat, dull-green expanse waved away froht, dark horizon-line, where the sun was setting rayless in a clear sky Open, desolate, and lonely, the scene gave her a cold thrill

"Did your uncle Al ever write anythin' about a man named Beasley?" asked Dale