"Like a woman sobbin'?"

"Ruth," said Rand, suddenly looking up in his brother's face, "what's
gone of you?"

Ruth laughed. "The fire's out," he said, abruptly re-entering the cabin.
"I'm goin' to turn in."

Rand, following his brother half reproachfully, saw him divest himself
of his clothing, and roll himself in the blankets of his bed.

"Good-night, Randy!"

Rand hesitated. He would have liked to ask his brother another question;
but there was clearly nothing to be done but follow his example.

"Good-night, Ruthy!" he said, and put out the light. As he did so, the
glow in the eastern horizon faded, too, and darkness seemed to well up
from the depths below, and, flowing in the open door, wrapped them in
deeper slumber.


CHAPTER II.


THE CLOUDS GATHER.


Twelve months had elapsed since the quarrel and reconciliation, during