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"That won't do I want to--I've got to tell him myself Where is he?"

"Lassiter is with Mrs Larkin She is ill I'll call hi to the door she softly called for the rider A faint, le preceded his step--then his tall form crossed the threshold

"Lassiter, here's Blake, an old rider of mine He has come back to me and he wishes to speak to you"

Blake's brown face turned exceedingly pale

"Yes, I had to speak to you," he said, swiftly "My name's Blake

I'm a Mormon and a rider Lately I quit Miss Withersteen I've co her to take me back Now I don't know you; but I knohat you are So I've this to say to your face It would never occur to this woine--let alone suspect ht just be a low plot to come here and shoot you in the back Jane Withersteen hasn't that kind of a mindWell, I've not co with Judkins and--and you The thing is--do you believe me?"

"I reckon I do," replied Lassiter How this slow, cool speech contrasted with Blake's hot, iht have saved some of your breath See here, Blake, cinch this in your mind Lassiter has met some square Mormons! An' mebbe--"

"Blake," interrupted Jane, nervously anxious to terminate a colloquy that she perceived was an ordeal for him "Go at once and fetch me a report ofdrove--down in the sage-cleared fields?"

"Of course," replied Jane "My horses are all there, except the blooded stock I keep here"

"Haven't you heard--then?"

"Heard? No! What's happened to theone these ten days past Dorn told me, and I rode down to see forto him

"I reckon soBut as the use to tell you?"

It was Lassiter turning away his face and Blake studying the stone flags at his feet that brought Jane to the understanding of what she betrayed She strove desperately, but she could not rise immediately from such a blow

"My horses! My horses! What's become of theAnd I trailed the horses miles down the slope toward Deception Pass"

"My red herd's gone! My horses gone! The white herd will go next

I can stand that But if I lost Black Star and Night, it would be like parting with er of losing my racers?"