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"Say youngster," he said, genially, "you said you were just as lucky

in loveNow I had a hunch soirl drove you

out here to the border"

Kells spoke jestingly, in a way that could give no offense, even to

the wildest of boys, yet there was curiosity, keenness, penetration,

in his speech It had not the slightest effect upon Jiirl?To hell with both!" he said

"Shore you're talkin' religion Thet's where both luck an' gurls

cos

pass the whiskey?"

The increased interest hich Kells looked down upon Jih, and, turning away,

she stumbled to the bed and lay there with an ache in her heart

"Oh," she whispered to herself, "he is ruined--ruined--ruined!

God forgive s The night wind swept in cold and pure, with the dew of the

mountain in it She heard the mourn of wolves, the hoot of an owl,

the distant cry of a panther, weird and wild Yet outside there was