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He halted as if he had run sharply into a bar across the path When he turned Helen had coht was deep there in the shade of the peach-trees, but she could see his face, the hungry, flaring eyes

"I--I haven't thanked you--yet--for bringing Bo home," she whispered

"Nell, never mind that," he said, in surprise "If you ot to catch up with that cowboy"

"No Letcloser, she put her ar to put them round his neck That action must be her self-punishht also serve to thank hiot no farther than his breast, and fluttered there to catch hold of the fringe of his buckskin jacket She felt a heave of his deep chest

"I--I do thank you--with all my heart," she said, softly "I owe you now--for myself and her--more than I can ever repay"

"Nell, I'm your friend," he replied, hurriedly "Don't talk of repayin' as"

"What for?" she queried, suddenly

"I oes," returned Dale

"Don't tell ht to er I reckon I'll have to run--or never get to Beasley before that cowboy"

Helen locked her fingers in the fringe of his jacket--leaned closer to hiust of blood over her

"I'll not let you go," she said

He laughed, and put his great hands over hers "What 're you sayin', girl? You can't stop me"

"Yes, I can Dale, I don't want you to risk your life"

He stared at her, and made as if to tear her hands from their hold

"Listen--please--oh--please!" she io deliberately to kill Beasley--and do it--that will be ion I would be unhappy all my life"

"But, child, you'll be ruined all your life if Beasley is not dealt with--as men of his breed are always dealt with in the West," he remonstrated, and in one quick ers

Helen, with a move as swift, put her arht

"Milt, I' myself," she said "The other day, when I did--this--you made an excuse for me I'm not two-faced now"