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Helen did not look up again until she was near the porch She had dreaded this lad that she could have cried aloud

"Miss Helen, I shore a bareheaded before her, the sa, frank-faced cowboy she had seen first from the train

"To thelance Helen gave in return see dark and doubtful out of her heart This was the same boy she had knohom she had liked so well--who had won her sister's love Helen iht, with its healthy tan; it wore the old glad smile, cool, easy, and natural; his eyes were like Dale's--penetrating, clear as crystal, without a shadow What had evil, drink, blood, to do with the real inherent nobility of this splendid specimen of Western hardihood? Wherever he had been, whatever he had done during that long absence, he had returned long separated froet Perhaps there would never again be call for it

"How's one a few days on some errand of his employer's

"Bo? Oh, she's well--fine I--I rather think she'll be glad to see you," replied Helen, war Indian, Dale?" he drawled

"Well, too--I'ot back heah in time to see you-all married?"

"I--I assure you I--no one around here has been married yet," replied Helen, with a blush

"Thet shore is fine Was some worried," he said, lazily "I've been chasin' wild hosses over in New Mexico, an' I got after this heah blue roan He kept me chasin' him fer a spell I've fetched hi, to be instantly delighted He was a roan ale nor heavy, but powerfully built, clean-li mane and tail, black as coal, and a beautiful head that made Helen love him at once

"Well, I'm jealous," declared Helen, archly "I never did see such a pony"

"I reckoned you'd never ride any hoss but Ranger," said Las Vegas

"No, I never will But I can be jealous, anyhow, can't I?"