ButforonceEllenseemedsingularlyunresponsivetothispanoramaofwildnessandgrandeur。Herearswerelikethoseofalisteningdeer，andhereyescontinuallyrevertedtotheopenplacesalongtheRim。
Atfirst，inherexcitement，timeflewby。Gradually，however，asthesunmovedwestward，shebegantoberestless。Thesoftthudofdroppingpinecones，therustlingofsquirrelsupanddowntheshaggy—barkedspruces，thecrackingofweatheredbitsofrock，thesecaughtherkeenearsmanytimesandbroughtheruperectandthrilling。Finallysheheardasoundwhichresembledthatofanunshodhoofonstone。Stealthilythenshetookherrifleandslippedbackthroughthepinethickettothespotshehadchosen。Thelittlepinesweresoclosetogetherthatshehadtocrawlbetweentheirtrunks。
Thegroundwascoveredwithasoftbedofpineneedles，brownandfragrant。Inherhurrysheprickedherunglovedhandonasharppineconeanddrewtheblood。Shesuckedthetinywound。\"ShoreI’mwonderin’ifthat’sabadomen，\"shemuttered，darklythoughtful。
Thensheresumedhersinuousapproachtotheedgeofthethicket，andpresentlyreachedit。
Ellenlayflatamomenttorecoverherbreath，thenraisedherselfonherelbows。ThroughanopeninginthefringeofbuckbrushshecouldplainlyseethepromontorywhereshehadstoodwithJeanIsbel，andalsotheapproachesbywhichhemightcome。Rathernervouslysherealizedthathercovertwashardlymorethanahundredfeetfromthepromontory。Itwasimperativethatshebeabsolutelysilent。
HereyessearchedtheopeningsalongtheRim。Thegrayformofadeercrossedoneofthese，andsheconcludedithadmadethesoundshehadheard。Thenshelaydownmorecomfortablyandwaited。
Resolutelysheheld，asmuchaspossible，tohersensorialperceptions。
ThemeaningofEllenJorthlyinginambushjusttoseeanIsbelwasaconundrumsherefusedtoponderinthepresent。Shewasdoingit，andthephysicalacthaditsfascination。Herears，attunedtoallthesoundsofthelonelyforest，caughtthemandarrangedthemaccordingtoherknowledgeofwoodcraft。
Alonghourpassedby。Thesunhadslantedtoapointhalfwaybetweenthezenithandthehorizon。SuddenlyathoughtconfrontedEllenJorth:
\"He’snotcomin’，\"shewhispered。Theinstantthatideapresenteditselfshefeltablanksenseofloss，avagueregret——somethingthatmusthavebeendisappointment。Unpreparedforthis，shewasheldbysurpriseforamoment，andthenshewasstunned。Herspirit，swiftandrebellious，hadnotimetoriseinherdefense。Shewasalonely，guilty，miserablegirl，tooweakforpridetouphold，toofluctuatingtoknowherrealself。Shestretchedthere，buryingherfaceinthepineneedles，diggingherfingersintothem，wantingnothingsomuchasthattheymighthideher。ThemomentwasincomprehensibletoEllen，andutterlyintolerable。Thesharppineneedles，piercingherwristsandcheeks，andherhotheavingbreast，seemedtogiveherexquisiterelief。
Theshrillsnortofahorsesoundednearathand。WithashockEllen’sbodystiffened。Thenshequiveredalittleandherfeelingsunderwentswiftchange。Cautiouslyandnoiselesslysheraisedherselfuponherelbowsandpeepedthroughtheopeninginthebrush。ShesawamantyingahorsetoabushsomewhatbackfromtheRim。Drawingariflefromitssaddlesheathhethrewitinthehollowofhisarmandwalkedtotheedgeoftheprecipice。HegazedawayacrosstheBasinandappearedlostincontemplationorthought。Thenheturnedtolookbackintotheforest，asifheexpectedsomeone。
Ellenrecognizedthelithefigure，thedarkfacesolikeanIndian’s。
ItwasIsbel。Hehadcome。Somehowhiscomingseemedwonderfulandterrible。Ellenshookassheleanedonherelbows。JeanIsbel，truetohisword，inspiteofherscorn，hadcomebacktoseeher。Thefactseemedmonstrous。Hewasanenemyofherfather。Longhadrangerumorbeenbandiedfromliptolip——oldGassIsbelhadsentforhisIndiansontofighttheJorths。JeanIsbel——sonofaTexan——unerringshot——
peerlesstracker——abadanddangerousman！ThenthereflashedoverEllenaburningthought——ifitweretrue，ifhewasanenemyofherfather’s，ifafightbetweenJorthandIsbelwasinevitable，sheoughttokillthisJeanIsbelrightthereinhistracksasheboldlyandconfidentlywaitedforher。Foolhewastothinkshewouldcome。
Ellensankdownanddroppedherheaduntilthestrangetremorofherarmsceased。Thatdarkandgrimflashofthoughtretreated。Shehadnotcometomurderamanfromambush，butonlytowatchhim，totrytoseewhathemeant，whathethought，toallayastrangecuriosity。
Afterawhileshelookedagain。IsbelwassittingonanupheavedsectionoftheRim，inacomfortablepositionfromwhichhecouldwatchtheopeningsintheforestandgazeaswellacrossthewestcurveoftheBasintotheMazatzals。Hehadcomposedhimselftowait。
Hewascladinabuckskinsuit，rathernew，anditcertainlyshowedofftoadvantage，comparedwiththeraggedandsoiledapparelEllenremembered。Hedidnotlooksolarge。Ellenwasusedtothelong，lean，rangyArizoniansandTexans。Thismanwasbuiltdifferently。
Hehadthewidestshouldersofanymanshehadeverseen，andtheymadehimappearrathershort。Buthislithe，powerfullimbsprovedhewasnotshort。Wheneverhemovedthemusclesrippled。Hishandswereclaspedroundaknee——brown，sinewyhands，verybroad，andfittingthethickmuscularwrists。Hiscollarwasopen，andhedidnotwearascarf，asdidthemenEllenknew。ThenherintensecuriosityatlastbroughthersteadygazetoJeanIsbel’sheadandface。Heworeacap，evidentlyofsomethinfur。Hishairwasstraightandshort，andincoloradeadravenblack。Hiscomplexionwasdark，cleartan，withnotraceofred。Hedidnothavetheprominentcheekbonesnorthehigh—bridgednoseusualwithwhitemenwhowerepartIndian。StillhehadtheIndianlook。Ellencaughtthatinthedark，intent，piercingeyes，inthewide，level，thoughtfulbrows，inthesternimpassivenessofhissmoothface。Hehadastraight，sharp—cutprofile。
Ellenwhisperedtoherself:\"Isawhimrighttheotherday。Only，I’dnotadmitit……Thefinest—lookin’manIeversawinmylifeisadamnedIsbel！WasthatwhatIcomeoutheahfor？\"
Sheloweredherselfoncemoreand，foldingherarmsunderherbreast，shereclinedcomfortablyonthem，andsearchedoutasmallerpeepholefromwhichshecouldspyuponIsbel。Andasshewatchedhimthenewandperplexingsideofhermindwaxedbusier。Whyhadhecomeback？
Whatdidhewantofher？Acquaintance，friendship，wasimpossibleforthem。Hehadbeenrespectful，deferentialtowardher，inawaythathadstrangelypleased，untilthesurprisingmomentwhenhehadkissedher。Thathadonlydisruptedherratherdreamypleasureinasituationshehadnotexperiencedbefore。Allthemenshehadmetinthiswildcountrywereroughandbold;mostofthemhadwantedtomarryher，and，failingthat，theyhadpersistedinamorousattentionsnotparticularlyflatteringorhonorable。Theywereabadlot。Andcontactwiththemhaddulledsomeofhersensibilities。ButthisJeanIsbelhadseemedagentleman。Shestruggledtobefair，tryingtoforgetherantipathy，asmuchtounderstandherselfastogivehimduecredit。True，hehadkissedher，crudelyandforcibly。Butthatkisshadnotbeenaninsult。Ellen’sfinerfeelingforcedhertobelievethis。Sherememberedthehonestamazeandshameandcontritionwithwhichbehadfacedher，tryingawkwardlytoexplainhisboldact。
Likewisesherecalledthesubtleswiftchangeinhimatherwords，\"Oh，I’vebeenkissedbefore！\"Shewasgladshehadsaidthat。Still——wassheglad，afterall？
Shewatchedhim。Everylittlewhileheshiftedhisgazefromthebluegulfbeneathhimtotheforest。Whenheturnedthusthesunshoneonhisfaceandshecaughtthepiercinggleamofhisdarkeyes。
Shesaw，too，thathewaslistening。Watchingandlisteningforher！
Ellenhadtostillatumultwithinher。Itmadeherfeelveryyoung，veryshy，verystrange。Allthewhileshehatedhimbecausehemanifestlyexpectedhertocome。Severaltimesheroseandwalkedalittlewayintothewoods。Thelasttimehelookedatthewesteringsunandshookhishead。Hisconfidencehadgone。Thenhesatandgazeddownintothevoid。ButEllenknewhedidnotseeanythingthere。HeseemedanimagecarvedinthestoneoftheRim，andhegaveEllenasingularimpressionoflonelinessandsadness。Washethinkingofthemiserablebattlehisfatherhadsummonedhimtolead——
ofwhatitwouldcost——ofitsuselesspainandhatred？Ellenseemedtodivinehisthoughts。Inthatmomentshesoftenedtowardhim，andinhersoulquiveredandstirredanintangiblesomethingthatwaslikepain，thatwastoodeepforherunderstanding。ButshefeltsorryforanIsbeluntiltheoldprideresurged。Whatifheadmiredher？Sherememberedhisinterest，thewonderandadmiration，thegrowinglightinhiseyes。Andithadnotbeenrepugnanttoheruntilhedisclosedhisname。\"What’sinaname？\"shemused，recallingpoetrylearnedinhergirlhood。\"’Arosebyanyothernamewouldsmellassweet’……
He’sanIsbel——yethemightbesplendid——noble……Bah！he’snot——
andI’dhatehimanyhow。\"I
AllatonceEllenfeltcoldshiversstealoverher。Isbel’spiercinggazewasdirectedstraightatherhidingplace。Herheartstoppedbeating。Ifhediscoveredherthereshefeltthatshewoulddieofshame。Thenshebecameawarethatabluejaywasscreechinginapineaboveher，andaredsquirrelsomewherenearwaschatteringhisshrillannoyance。Thesetwodenizensofthewoodscouldbedependedupontoespythewariesthunterandmakeknownhispresencetotheirkind。Ellenhadamomentofmorethandread。Thiskeen—eyed，keen—earedIndianmightseerightthroughherbrushycovert，mighthearthethrobbingofherheart。Itrelievedherimmeasurablytoseehimturnawayandtaketopacingthepromontory，withhisheadbowedandhishandsbehindhisback。Hehadstoppedlookingoffintotheforest。Presentlyhewheeledtothewest，andbythelightuponhisfaceEllensawthatthetimewasnearsunset。Turkeyswerebeginningtogobblebackontheridge。
Isbelwalkedtohishorseandappearedtobeuntyingsomethingfromthebackofhissaddle。WhenhecamebackEllensawthathecarriedasmallpackageapparentlywrappedinpaper。WiththisunderhisarmhestrodeoffinthedirectionofEllen’scampandsoondisappearedintheforest。
ForalittlewhileEllenlaythereinbewilderment。Ifshehadmadeconjecturesbefore，theywerenowmultiplied。WherewasJeanIsbelgoing？Ellensatupsuddenly。\"Well，shorethisheahbeatsme，\"
shesaid。\"Whatdidhehaveinthatpackage？Whatwashegoin’
todowithit？\"
Ittooknolittlewillpowertoholdhertherewhenshewantedtostealafterhimthroughthewoodsandfindoutwhathemeant。Buthisreputationinfluencedevenherandsherefusedtopithercunningintheforestagainsthis。Itwouldbebettertowaituntilhereturnedtohishorse。Thusdecided，shelaybackagaininhercovertandgavehermindovertoponderingcuriosity。SoonerthansheexpectedsheespiedIsbelapproachingthroughtheforest，emptyhanded。Hehadnottakenhisrifle。Ellenavertedherglanceamomentandthrilledtoseetherifleleaningagainstarock。VerilyJeanIsbelhadbeenfarremovedfromhostileintentthatday。Shewatchedhimstrideswiftlyuptohishorse，untiethehalter，andmount。Ellenhadanimpressionofhisarrowlikestraightfigure，andsinuousgraceandease。Thenhelookedbackatthepromontory，asiftofixapictureofitinhismind，androdeawayalongtheRim。Shewatchedhimoutofsight。Whatailedher？
Somethingwaswrongwithher，butsherecognizedonlyrelief。
WhenIsbelhadbeengonelongenoughtoassureEllenthatshemightsafelyventureforthshecrawledthroughthepinethickettotheRimontheothersideofthepoint。ThesunwassettingbehindtheBlackRange，sheddingagoldengloryovertheBasin。WestwardthezigzagRimreachedlikeastreameroffireintothesun。Thevastpromontoriesjuttedoutwithblazingbeaconlightsupontheirstone—walledfaces。
Deepdown，theBasinwasturningshadowydarkblue，goingtosleepforthenight。
Ellenbentswiftstepstowardhercamp。Longshaftsofgoldprecededherthroughtheforest。Thentheypaledandvanished。Thetipsofpinesandsprucesturnedgold。Ahoarse—voicedoldturkeygobblerwasboominghischug—a—lugfromthehighestground，andthesofterchickofhenturkeysansweredhim。Ellenwasalmostbreathlesswhenshearrived。
Twopacksandacoupleoflop—earedburrosattestedtothefactofAntonio’sreturn。ThiswasgoodnewsforEllen。Sheheardthebleatoflambsandtinkleofbellscomingnearerandnearer。AndshewasgladtofeelthatifIsbelhadvisitedhercamp，mostprobablyitwasduringtheabsenceoftheherders。
TheinstantsheglancedintohertentshesawthepackageIsbelhadcarried。Itlayonherbed。Ellenstaredblankly。\"The——theimpudenceofhim！\"sheejaculated。Thenshekickedthepackageoutofthetent。
Wordsandactionseemedtoliberateadammed—uphotfury。Shekickedthepackageagain，andthoughtshewouldkickitintothesmolderingcamp—fire。Butsomehowshestoppedshortofthat。Sheleftthethingthereontheground。
PepeandAntoniohoveinsight，drivinginthetumblingwoollyflock。
Ellendidnotwantthemtoseethepackage，sowithcontemptforherself，andsomewhatlesseninganger，shekickeditbackintothetent。Whatwasinit？Shepeepedinsidethetent，devouredbycuriosity。Neat，wellwrappedandtiedpackageslikethatwerenotoftenseenintheTontoBasin。Ellendecidedshewouldwaituntilaftersupper，andatafavorablemomentlayitunopenedonthefire。Whatdidshecarewhatitcontained？Manifestlyitwasagift。ShearguedthatshewashighlyincensedwiththisinsolentIsbelwhohadtheeffronterytoapproachherwithsomesortofpresent。
ItdevelopedthattheusuallycheerfulAntoniohadreturnedtaciturnandgloomy。AllEllencouldgetoutofhimwasthatthejobofsheepherderhadtakenonhazardsinimicaltopeace—lovingMexicans。Hehadheardsomethinghewouldnottell。Ellenhelpedpreparethesupperandsheateinsilence。Shehadherownbroodingtroubles。Antoniopresentlytoldherthatherfatherhadsaidshewasnottostartbackhomeafterdark。Aftersuppertheherdersrepairedtotheirowntents，leavingEllenthefreedomofhercamp—fire。Wherewithshesecuredthepackageandbroughtitforthtoburn。Femininecuriosityrankledstronginherbreast。Yieldingsofarastoshaketheparcelandpressit，andfinallytearacomeroffthepaper，shesawsomewordswritteninleadpencil。Bendingnearertheblaze，sheread，\"FormysisterAnn。\"
Ellengazedatthebig，boldhand—writing，quitelegibleandfairlywelldone。Suddenlyshetoretheoutsidewrappercompletelyoff。FromprintedwordsontheinsideshegatheredthatthepackagehadcomefromastoreinSanFrancisco。\"Reckonhefetchedhomealotofpresentsforhisfolks——thekids——andhissister，\"mutteredEllen。
\"Thatwasniceofhim。WhateverthisisheshoremeantitforsisterAnn……AnnIsbel。Why，shemustbethatblack—eyedgirlImetandlikedsowellbeforeIknewshewasanIsbel……Hissister！\"
WhereuponforthesecondtimeEllendepositedthefascinatingpackageinhertent。Shecouldnotburnitupjustthen。Shehadotheremotionsbesidesscornandhate。Andmemoryofthatsoft—voiced，kind—hearted，beautifulIsbelgirlcheckedherresentment。\"Iwonderifheislikehissister，？’shesaid，thoughtfully。Itappearedtobeanunfortunatethought。JeanIsbelcertainlyresembledhissister。
\"Toobadtheybelongtothefamilythatruineddad。\"
Ellenwenttobedwithoutopeningthepackageorwithoutburningit。
Andtoherannoyance，whateverwayshelaysheappearedtotouchthisstrangepackage。Therewasnotmuchroominthelittletent。Firstsheputitatherheadbesideherrifle，butwhensheturnedoverhercheekcameincontactwithit。Thenshefeltasifshehadbeenstung。
Shemoveditagain，onlytotouchitpresentlywithherhand。Nextsheflungittothebottomofherbed，whereitfelluponherfeet，andwhateverwayshemovedthemshecouldnotescapethepressureofthisundesirableandmysteriousgift。
Byandbyshefellasleep，onlytodreamthatthepackagewasacaressinghandstealingabouther，feelingforhers，andholdingitwithsoft，strongclasp。Whensheawokeshehadthestrangestsensationinherrightpalm。Itwasmoist，throbbing，hot，andthefeelofitonhercheekwasstrangelythrillingandcomforting。
Shelayawakethen。Thenightwasdarkandstill。Onlyalowmoanofwindinthepinesandthefainttinkleofasheepbellbroketheserenity。Shefeltverysmallandlonelylyingthereinthedeepforest，and，tryhowshewould，itwasimpossibletothinkthesamethenasshedidintheclearlightofday。Resentment，pride，anger——theseseemedabatednow。Iftheeventsofthedayhadnotchangedher，theyhadatleastbroughtupsofterandkindermemoriesandemotionsthanshehadknownforlong。Nothinghurtandsaddenedhersomuchastorememberthegay，happydaysofherchildhood，hersweetmother，her，oldhome。ThenherthoughtreturnedtoIsbelandhisgift。Ithadbeenyearssinceanyonehadmadeheragift。
Whatcouldthisonebe？Itdidnotmatter。ThewonderwasthatJeanIsbelshouldbringittoherandthatshecouldbeperturbedbyitspresence。\"Hemeantitforhissisterandsohethoughtwellofme，\"shesaid，infinality。
MorningbroughtEllenfurthervacillation。Atlengthsherolledtheobnoxiouspackageinsideherblankets，sayingthatshewouldwaituntilshegothomeandthenconsignitcheerfullytotheflames。
Antoniotiedherpackonaburro。Shedidnothaveahorse，andthereforehadtowalktheseveralmiles，toherfather’sranch。
Shesetoffatabriskpace，leadingtheburroandcarryingherrifle。Andsoonshewasdeepinthefragrantforest。Themorningwasclearandcool，withjustenoughfrosttomakethesunlitgrasssparkleasifwithdiamonds。Ellenfeltfresh，buoyant，singularlyfullof，life。Heryouthwouldnotbedenied。Itwaspulsing，yearning。ShehummedanoldSoutherntuneandeverystepseemedoneofpleasureinaction，ofadvancetowardsomeintangiblefuturehappiness。Alltheunknownoflifebeforehercalled。Herheartbeathighinherbreastandshewalkedasoneinadream。Herthoughtswereswift—changing，intimate，deep，andvague，notofyesterdayorto—day，norofreality。
Thebig，gray，white—tailedsquirrelscrossedaheadofheronthetrail，scamperedoverthepinygroundtohopontreetrunks，andtheretheypausedtowatchherpass。Thevociferouslittleredsquirrelsbarkedandchatteredather。Fromeverythicketsoundedthegobbleofturkeys。
Thebluejayssqualledinthetreetops。Adeerlifteditsheadfrombrowsingandstoodmotionless，withlongearserect，watchinghergoby。
Thushappilyanddreamilyabsorbed，EllencoveredtheforestmilesandsoonreachedthetrailthatleddownintothewildbrakesofChevelonCanyon。Itwasroughgoingandlessconducivetosweetwanderingsofmind。Ellenslowlylostthem。Andthenafamiliarfeelingassailedher，onesheneverfailedtohaveuponreturningtoherfather’sranch——areluctance，abitterdissatisfactionwithherhome，aloyalstruggleagainstthevaguesensethatallwasnotasitshouldbe。
Attheheadofthiscanyoninalittle，level，grassymeadowstoodarudeone—roomlogshack，withaleaningred—stonechimneyontheoutside。
Thiswastheabodeofastrangeoldmanwhohadlonglivedthere。HisnamewasJohnSpragueandhisoccupationwasraisingburros。Nosheeporcattleorhorsesdidheown，notevenadog。RumorhadsaidSpraguewasaprospector，oneofthemanywhohadsearchedthatcountryfortheLostDutchmangoldmine。SpragueknewmoreabouttheBasinandRimthananyofthesheepmenorranchers。FromBlackButtetotheCibiqueandfromChevelonButtetoRenoPasshekneweverytrail，canyon，ridge，andspring，andcouldfindhiswaytothemonthedarkestnight。Hisfame，however，dependedmostlyuponthefactthathedidnothingbutraiseburros，andwouldraisenonebutblackburroswithwhitefaces。
TheseburroswerethefinestbredinailtheBasinandwereingreatdemand。Spraguesoldafeweveryyear。HehadmadeapresentofonetoEllen，althoughhehatedtopartwiththem。ThisoldmanwasEllen’soneandonlyfriend。
UponhertripouttotheRimwiththesheep，UncleJohn，asEllencalledhim，hadbeenawayononeofhisinfrequentvisitstoGrassValley。Itpleasedhernowtoseeabluecolumnofsmokelazilyliftingfromtheoldchimneyandtohearthediscordantbrayofburros。
AssheenteredtheclearingSpraguesawherfromthedoorofhisshack。
\"Hello，UncleJohn！\"shecalled。
\"Wal，ifitain’tEllen！\"hereplied，heartily。\"WhenIseenthetwhite—facedjinnyIknowedwhowasleadin’her。Whereyoubeen，girl？\"
Spraguewasalittle，stoop—shoulderedoldman，withgrizzledheadandface，andshrewdgrayeyesthatbeamedkindlyonheroverhisruddycheeks。Ellendidnotlikethetobaccostainonhisgrizzledbeardnorthedirty，motley，ragged，ill—smellinggarbhewore，butshehadceasedheruselessattemptstomakehimmorecleanly。
\"I’vebeenherdin’sheep，\"repliedEllen。\"Andwherehavey’ubeen，uncle？Imissedy’uonthewayover。\"
\"Beenpackin’insomegrub。An’IreckonIstayedlongerinGrassValleythanIrecollect。Butthetwasonlynatural，considerin’——\"
\"What？\"askedEllen，bluntly，astheoldmanpaused。
Spraguetookablackpipeoutofhisvestpocketandbeganrimmingthebowlwithhisfingers。TheglancehebentonEllenwasthoughtfulandearnest，andsokindthatshefeareditwaspity。Ellensuddenlyburnedfornewsfromthevillage。
Wal，comeinan’setdown，won’tyou？\"heasked。
\"No，thanks，\"repliedEllen，andshetookaseatonthechoppingblock。
\"Tellme，uncle，what’sgoin’ondownintheValley？\"
\"Nothin’muchyet——excepttalk。An’there’saheapofthet。\"
\"Humph！Therealwayswastalk，\"declaredEllen，contemptuously。
\"Anasty，gossipy，cattyhole，thatGrassValley！\"
\"Ellen，thar’sgoin’tobewar——abloodywarintheoleTontoBasin，\"
wentonSprague，seriously。
\"War！……Betweenwhom？\"
\"TheIsbelsan’theirenemies。Ireckonmostpeopledownthar，an’
sureallthecattlemen，aironoldGass’sside。Blaisdell，Gordon，Fredericks，Blue——they’llallbeinit。\"
\"Whoaretheygoin’tofight？\"queriedEllen，sharply。
\"Wal，theopentalkisthetthesheepmenareforcin’thiswar。Butthar’stalknotsoopen，an’Ireckonnotveryhealthyforanymantowhisperhyarbouts。\"
\"UncleJohn，y’uneedn’tbeafraidtotellmeanythin’，saidEllen。
\"I’dnevergivey’uaway。Y’u’vebeenagoodfriendtome。\"
\"ReckonIwanttobe，Ellen，\"hereturned，noddinghisshaggyhead。
\"Itain’teasytobefondofyouasIaman’keepmymouthshet……I’dliketoknowsomethin’。Hevyouanyrelativesawayfromhyarthetyoucouldgototillthisfight’sover？\"
\"No。AllIhave，sofarasIknow，arerightheah。\"
\"Howabootfriends？\"
\"UncleJohn，Ihavenone，\"shesaid，sadly，withbowedhead。
\"Wal，wal，I’msorry。Iwashopin’youmightgitaway。\"
Sheliftedherface。\"Shorey’udon’tthinkI’drunoffifmydadgotinafight？\"sheflashed。
\"Ihopeyouwill。\"
\"I’maJorth，\"shesaid，darkly，anddroppedherheadagain。
Spraguenoddedgloomily。Evidentlyhewasperplexedandworried，andstronglyswayedbyaffectionforher。
\"Wouldyougoawaywithme？\"heasked。\"WecouldpackovertotheMazatzalsan’livethartillthisblowsover。\"
\"Thanky’u，UncleJohn。Y’u’rekindandgood。ButI’llstaywithmyfather。Histroublesaremine。\"
\"Ahuh！……Wal，Imighthevreckonedso……Ellen，howdoyoustandonthishyarsheepan’cattlequestion？\"
\"Ithinkwhat’sfairforoneisfairforanother。Idon’tlikesheepasmuchasIlikecattle。Butthat’snotthepoint。Therangeisfree。
Supposey’uhadcattleandIhadsheep。I’dfeelasfreetorunmysheepanywhereasy’uweretoranyourcattle。\"
\"Right。Butwhatifyouthrowedyoursheeproundmyrangean’sheepedoffthegrasssomycattlewouldhevtomoveorstarve？\"
\"ShoreIwouldn’tthrowmysheeproundy’urrange，\"shedeclared，stoutly。
\"Wal，you’veansweredhalfofthequestion。An’nowsupposin’alotofmycattlewasstolenbyrustlers，butnotasingleoneofyoursheep。
What’dyouthinkthen？\"
\"I’dshorethinkrustlerschosetostealcattlebecausetherewasnoprofitinstealin’sheep。\"
\"Egzactly。Butwouldn’tyouhevaqueerideeabootit？\"
\"Idon’tknow。Whyqueer？What’rey’udrivin’at，UncleJohn？\"
\"Wal，wouldn’tyougitkindofahunchthettherustlerswas——sayaleetlefriendlytowardthesheepmen？
Ellenfeltasuddenvibratingshock。Thebloodrushedtohertemples。
Tremblingallover，sherose。
\"UncleJohn！\"shecried。
\"Now，girl，youneedn’tfireupthetway。Setdownan’don’t——\"
\"Darey’uinsinuatemyfatherhas——\"
\"Ellen，Iain’tinsinuatin’nothin’，\"interruptedtheoldman。\"I’mjestaskin’youtothink。Thet’sall。You’re，mostgrownintoayoungwomannow。An’you’vegotsense。Thar’sbadtimesahead，Ellen。
An’Ihatetoseeyoumixinthem。\"
\"Oh，y’udomakemethink，\"repliedEllen，withsmartingtearsinhereyes。\"Y’umakemeunhappy。Oh，Iknowmydadisnotlikedinthiscattlecountry。Butit’sunjust。Hehappenedtogoinforsheepraising。Iwishhehadn’t。Itwasamistake。Dadalwayswasacattlemantillwecameheah。Hemadeenemies——who——whoruinedhim。
Andeverywheremisfortunecrossedhistrail……But，oh，UncleJohn，mydadisanhonestman。\"
\"Wal，child，I——Ididn’tmeanto——tomakeyoucry，\"saidtheoldman，feelingly，andheavertedhistroubledgaze。\"NevermindwhatIsaid。
I’manoldmeddler。Ireckonnothin’Icoulddoorsaywouldeverchangewhat’sgoin’tohappen。Ifonlyyouwasn’tagirl！……
TharIgoag’in。Ellen，faceyourfuturean’fightyourway。Allyoungstershevtodothet。An’it’stherightkindoffightthetmakestherightkindofmanorwoman。Onlyyoumustbesuretofindyourself。An’bythetImeantofindthereal，true，honest—to—Godbestinyouan’sticktoitan’diefightin’forit。You’reayoungwoman，almost，an’ablamedhandsomeone。Whichmeansyou’llhevmoretroublean’aharderfight。Thiscountryain’teasyonawomanwhenonceslanderhasmarkedher。
\"WhatdoIcareforthetalkdowninthatBasin？\"returnedEllen。
\"IknowtheythinkI’mahussy。I’veletthemthinkit。
I’vehelpedthemto。\"
\"You’rewrong，child，\"saidSprague，earnestly。\"Pridean，temper！
Youmustneverletanyonethinkbadofyou，muchlesshelpthemto。\"
\"Ihateeverybodydownthere，\"criedEllen，passionately。\"IhatethemsoI’dgloryintheirthinkin’mebad……MymotherbelongedtothebestbloodinTexas。Iamherdaughter。IknowWHOANDWHAT
IAM。ThatupliftsmewheneverImeetthesneaky，slysuspicionsoftheseBasinpeople。Itshowsmethedifferencebetweenthemandme。
That’swhatIgloryin。\"
\"Ellen，you’reawild，headstrongchild，\"rejoinedtheoldman，inseveretones。\"Wordhasbeenpassedag’in’yourgoodname——yourhonor……An’hevn’tyougivencauseferthet？\"
Ellenfeltherfaceblanchandallherbloodrushbacktoherheartinsickeningforce。Theshockofhiswordswaslikeastabfromacoldblade。Iftheirmeaningandthestem，justlightoftheoldman’sglancedidnotkillherprideandvanitytheysurelykilledhergirlishness。Shestoodmute，staringathim，withherbrown，tremblinghandsstealinguptowardherbosom，asiftowardoffanotherandamortalblow。
\"Ellen！\"burstoutSprague，hoarsely。\"Youmistookme。Aw，Ididn’tmean——whatyouthink，Iswear……Ellen，I’moldan’blunt。Iain’tusedtowimmen。ButI’veloveforyou，child，an’respect，jestthesameasifyouwasmyown……An’IKNOWyou’regood……
Forgiveme……Imeantonlyhevn’tyoubeen，say，sortof——
careless？\"
\"Care—less？\"queriedEllen，bitterlyandlow。
\"An’powerfulthoughtlessan’——an’blind——lettin’menkissyouan’
fondleyou——whenyou’rereallyagrowed—upwomannow？\"
\"Yes——Ihave，\"whisperedEllen。
\"Wal，then，whydidyouletthem？
\"I——Idon’tknow……Ididn’tthink。Themenneverletmealone——
never——never！Igottiredeverlastinglypushin’themaway。Andsometimes——whentheywerekind——andIwaslonelyforsomethingI——I
didn’tmindifoneoranotherfooledroundme。Ineverthought。
Itneverlookedasy’uhavemadeitlook……Then——thosefewtimesridin’thetrailtoGrassValley——whenpeoplesawme——thenI
guessIencouragedsuchattentions……Oh，Imustbe——Iamashamelesslittlehussy！\"
\"Hushthetkindoftalk，\"saidtheoldman，ashetookherhand。