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"Veehicle! Wal, I'll be doggoned! Joe, did you hear thet? All the spunky gurls ain't born out West"

As Helen folloith cloak and bag Roy assisted her, and she encountered keen eyes upon her face He seeentle and respectful, and she felt his solicitude His heavy gun, swinging low, struck her as she stepped down

Dale reached into the stage and hauled out baskets and bags These he set down on the ground

"Turn around, Bill, an' go along with you John an' Hal will follow presently," ordered Dale

"Wal, gurls," said Bill, looking down upon thelad to meet you-all An' I'urls insults an' lon tricks But shore you'll go through safe now You couldn't be in better coion--"

"Shut up, you old grizzly!" broke in Dale, sharply

"Ha! Good-by, gurls, an' good luck!" ended Bill, as he began to whip the reins

Bo said good-by quite distinctly, but Helen could only murmur hers The old driver seee careened and creaked, presently to roll out of sight in the gloo down upon Helen She felt his big, hard hand clasp hers "Cold as ice!"

"I auess we're not warmly dressed"

"Nell, we roasted all day, and noe're freezing," declared Bo "I didn't knointer at night out here"

"Miss, haven't you soloves an' a coat?" asked Roy, anxiously "It 'ain't begun to get cold yet"

"Nell, we've heavy gloves, riding-suits and boots--all fine and new--in this black bag," said Bo, enthusiastically kicking a bag at her feet

"Yes, so we have But a lot of good they'll do us, to-night," returned Helen

"Miss, you'd do well to change right here," said Roy, earnestly "It'll save ti run an' a lot of sufferin' before sunup"

Helen stared at the young man, absolutely ae her traveling-dress for a riding-suit--out soht--a is it?" asked Dale, as if she were his sister And when she indicated the one, he picked it up "Come off the road"