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"Bah! You haven't the nerve!" she retorted, with another lared down at her a moment, and then without

another word he strode away Joan was amazed, and a little sick, a

little uncertain: still she did not call him back

And now at noon of the next day she had tracked him miles toward the

mountains It was a broad trail he had taken, one used by

prospectors and hunters There was no danger of her getting lost

What risk she ran was ofsome of these border ruffians that

had of late been frequent visitors in the village Presently she

o a mile or so

farther

Behind every rock and cedar she expected to find Jim Surely he had

only threatened her But she had taunted hith of character in him he would

show it now Her remorse and dread increased After all, he was only

a boy--only a couple of years older than she was Under stress of

feeling he ed him? If she