gifts she might have counted some that were, to say the least,
super-feminine. One of these was a measure of discretion which would
have been fairly creditable in a past master of diplomacy. So, while
the sympathetic part of her was crying out for a chance to talk
Winton's threatened danger over with some one, she lent herself
outwardly to the Reverend Billy's mood--which was one of scenic
enthusiasm; this without prejudice to a growing determination to
intervene in behalf of fair play for Winton if she could find a way.

But the way obstinately refused to discover itself. The simple thing
to do would be to appeal to her uncle's sense of justice. It was not
like him to fight with ignoble weapons, she thought, and a tactful
word in season might make him recall the order to the superintendent.
But she could not make the appeal without betraying Jastrow. She knew
well enough that the secretary had no right to show her the telegrams;
knew also that Mr. Somerville Darrah's first word would be a demand to
know how she had learned the company's business secrets. Regarding
Jastrow as little as a high-bred young woman to whom sentiment is as
the breath of life can regard a man who is quite devoid of it, she was
still far enough from the thought of effacing him.

To this expedient there was an unhopeful alternative: namely, the
sending, by the Reverend Billy, or, in the last resort, by herself, of
a warning message to Winton. But there were obstacles seemingly
insuperable. She had not the faintest notion of how such a warning
should be addressed; and again, the operator at Argentine was a
Colorado and Grand River employee, doubtless loyal to his salt, in
which case the warning message would never get beyond his
waste-basket.