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And then Helen had her ears filled with a rapid-fire account of running horses and Riggs and outlaws and Beasley called boldly to his teeth, and a long ride and an outlaas a hero--a fight with Riggs--blood and death--another long ride--a wild caain--plot--a great actress lost to the world--Ophelia--Snakes and Ansons--hoodooed outlaws--ht and shots, more blood and death--Wilson hero--another Tohter if--black night and Dale and horse and rides and starved and, "Oh, Nell, he WAS froathered that wonderful and dreadful events had hung over the bright head of this beloved little sister, but the bewilderment occasioned by Bo's fluent and remarkable utterance left only that last sentence clear

Presently Helen got a word in to inform Bo that Mrs Cass had knocked twice for supper, and that welco else seemed adequate

It was obvious to Helen that Roy and Dale had exchanged stories Roy celebrated this reunion by sitting at table the first time since he had been shot; and despite Helen'sbalance in the air the occasion was joyous Old Mrs Cass was in the height of her glory She sensed a roht was still lingering when Roy got up and went out on the porch His keen ears had heard so Helen fancied she herself had heard rapid hoof-beats

"Dale, come out!" called Roy, sharply

The hunter ility Helen and Bo followed, halting in the door

"Thet's Las Vegas," whispered Dale

To Helen it seeed the very atate; one that, harsh and quick, sounded like Carravel Then a lithe figure appeared, striding up the path It was Carmichael--yet not the Care little cry, a corroboration of her own i from the way he stepped out, and Dale was alrasped them with swift, hard hands

"Boys--I jest rode in An' they said you'd found her!"

"Shore, Las Vegas Dale fetched her home safe an' sound There she is"

The cowboy thrust aside the twoeyes on the door All that Helen could think of his look was that it seemed terrible Bo stepped outside in front of Helen Probably she would have run straight into Care instinct had not withheld her Helen judged it to be fear; she found her heart lifting painfully