"I didn't miss you," replied Joan. Yet it was a relief to see him.

"No, I imagine not," he said, dryly. "Well, I've been busy with men
--with plans. Things are working out to my satisfaction. Red Pearce
got around Gulden. There's been no split. Besides, Gulden rode off.
Someone said he went after a little girl named Brander. I hope he
gets shot. ... Joan, we'll be leaving Cabin Gulch soon. I'm
expecting news that'll change things. I won't leave you here. You'll
have to ride the roughest trails. And your clothes are in tatters
now. You've got to have something to wear."

"I should think so," replied Joan, fingering the thin, worn, ragged
habit that had gone to pieces. "The first brush I ride through will
tear this off."

"That's annoying," said Kells, with exasperation at himself. "Where
on earth can I get you a dress? We're two hundred miles from
everywhere. The wildest kind of country. ... Say, did you ever wear
a man's outfit?"

"Ye-es, when I went prospecting and hunting with my uncle," she
replied, reluctantly.

Suddenly he had a daring and brilliant smile that changed his face
completely. He rubbed his palms together. He laughed as if at a huge
joke. He cast a measuring glance up and down her slender form.

"Just wait till I come back," he said.