Page 133 (1/2)

From that day Joan lived a life of seclusion in the sht best for the tie of Bate Wood's duplicity Her ht to

her by Wood, as supposed to unlock and lock her door But Wood

never turned the key in that padlock

Prisoner though Joan was, the days and nights sped swiftly

Kells was always up till late in the night and slept half of the

nextIt was his wont to see Joan every day about noon He

had a care for his appearance When he ca, weary, and cold Manifestly he caet rid of

the imponderable burden of the present He left it behind hiold, of the Border Legion

Always he began by inquiring for her welfare, by asking what he

could do for her, what he could bring her Joan had an abhorrence of

Keils in his absence that she never felt when he ith her; and

the reason ht of him, rerowing character Always

mindful of her influence, she was as companionable, as sympathetic,

as cheerful, and sweet as it was possible for her to be Slowly he

would warloom, the dark

strain, would pass from him When that left he was indeed another

person Frankly he told Joan that the glimpse of real love she had

simulated back there in Cabin Gulch was seldom out of his mind No