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"Do you know him? Does any one know him?" questioned Tull, hurriedly

His men looked and looked, and one by one shook their heads

"He's come from far," said one

"Thet's a fine hoss," said another

"A strange rider"

"Huh! he wears black leather," added a fourth

With a wave of his hand, enjoining silence, Tull stepped forward in such a way that he concealed Venters

The rider reined in hisaction appeared to reach the ground in one long step It was a peculiarit the rider did not swerve in the slightest froroup before him

"Look!" hoarsely whispered one of Tull's couns--lon--they're hard to see--black akin theun-man!" whispered another "Fellers, careful now about ht have been a ait or the cra; yet, as well, it could have been the guarded advance of one who took no chances with er!" called Tull No welcoruff curiosity

The rider responded with a curt nod The wide brim of a black sombrero cast a dark shade over his face For a arded Tull and his co in his sloalk, he seemed to relax

"Evenin', ma'arace

Jane, greeting him, looked up into a face that she trusted instinctively and which riveted her attention It had all the characteristics of the range rider's--the leanness, the red burn of the sun, and the set changelessness that came from years of silence and solitude But it was not these which held her, rather the intensity of his gaze, a strained weariness, a piercing wistfulness of keen, gray sight, as if thefor that which he never found Jane's subtle woman's intuition, even in that brief instant, felt a sadness, a hungering, a secret

"Jane Withersteen, ma'am?" he inquired

"Yes," she replied

"The water here is yours?"

"Yes"

"May I water h"

"But lance on the listening h I ain't askin' none for er, it doesn't matter who you are Water your horse And if you are thirsty and hungry come into my house"

"Thanks, ma'am I can't accept for myself--but for my tired horse--"