of a large social experience to conceal an eager anxiety to know the
details--"so you met him; and, in course, you didn't let on yer knew
him, so to speak, nat'rally, or p'raps you kinder like asked him to fix
your saddle-girth, and give him a five-dollar piece--eh?"

Christie, who had risen and gone to the window, suddenly turned a very
pale face and shining eyes on Dick.

"Mr. Hall," she said, with a faint attempt at a smile, "we are old
friends, and I feel I can ask you a favor. You once before acted as our
escort--it was for a short but a happy time--will you accept a larger
trust? My father is busy in Sacramento for the mine: will you, without
saying anything to anybody, take Jessie and me back at once to Devil's
Ford?"

"Will I? Miss Christie," said Dick, choking between an intense
gratification and a desire to keep back its vulgar exhibition, "I shall
be proud!"

"When I say keep it a secret"--she hesitated--"I don't mean that I
object to your letting Mr. Kearney, if you happen to know where he is,
understand that we are going back to Devil's Ford."

"Cert'nly--nat'rally," said Dick, waving his hand gracefully;
"sorter drop him a line, saying that bizness of a social and delicate
nature--being the escort of Miss Christie and Jessie Carr to Devil's
Ford--prevents my having the pleasure of calling."

"That will do very well, Mr. Hall," said Christie, faintly smiling
through her moist eyelashes. "Then will you go at once and secure