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Presently, Bate Wood called her in to supper Pearce, S seats at the table, but Kells looked rather sick

Joan observed hiely shaded as if there were so dark under the pale

skin Joan had never seen him appear like this, and she shrank as

fro side of the man Pearce and Smith acted

naturally, ate with relish, and talked about the gold-diggings

Cleve, however, was not as usual; and Joan could not quite make out

what constituted the dissih her own

supper and back to her room

Already it was dark outside Joan lay down to listen and wait It

seeo

outside, and the low thump of their footsteps as they went away

Then ca of Bate Wood's attack on the pans and

pots Bate liked to cook, but he hated to clean up afterward By and

by he settled down outside for his evening smoke and there was

absolute quiet Then Joan rose to stand at theShe could see

the darkthe cabin, the bluff beyond, and

the stars For the rest all was gloo A soft step, aluishable, made her pulse beat quicker She put her face out

of the , and on the instant a dark form seemed to loonize that shape, yet