With well-acted diffidence, Lew held out the paper, which Oliver Jordan
snatched and smoothed on his knee. Then Hervey rode closer, lighted a
match, and held it so that the rancher could see to write.

"Dear Marianne," scrawled the pencil, "this is to let you know that I
have to go on business to--"

"Better not tell her where," suggested Hervey. "She might send after and
ask a lot of bothersome questions. You know the way a woman is."

"You sure got a fine head for business, Lew," nodded Jordan, and
continued his note: "to a town across the mountains and it may be a few
days before I get back. I met Lew on the road, so I'm letting him take
this note back to you Another thing: I've told Lew about several things
I want done while I'm gone. Easier than explaining them all to you,
honey, he can do them himself and tell you later.

Affectionately,"

As he scrawled the signature Hervey suggested softly: "Suppose you put
down at the bottom: 'This will serve as authority to Lew Hervey to act
in my name while I'm away.'"

"Sure," nodded Jordan, as he scribbled the dictated words. "Marianne is
a stickler for form. She'll want something like that to convince her."

He shoved the paper into the trembling hand of Lew Hervey, and sighed
with weariness.

"Chief," muttered Hervey, finding that even in the darkness he could not