This latter reflection heightened Nell’s resentment toward her lover.  She stood with her face turned away from Mrs. Wentz; the little frown deepened, and she nervously tapped her foot on the floor.

“Where is my sister?” she presently asked.

“She went to see the wagon-train come in.  Everybody’s out there.”

Nell deliberated a moment and then went into the open air.  She saw a number of canvas-covered wagons drawn up in front of the cabins; the vehicles were dusty and the wheels encrusted with yellow mud.  The grizzled frontiersman who had smiled at Nell stood leaning on his gun, talking to three men, whose travel-stained and worn homespun clothes suggested a long and toilsome journey.  There was the bustle of excitement incident to the arrival of strangers; to the quick exchange of greetings, the unloading of wagons and unharnessing of horses and oxen.

Nell looked here and there for her sister.  Finally she saw her standing near her uncle while he conversed with one of the teamsters.  The girl did not approach them; but glanced quickly around in search of some one else.  At length she saw Joe unloading goods from one of the wagons; his back was turned toward her, but she at once recognized the challenge conveyed by the broad shoulders.  She saw no other person; gave heed to nothing save what was to her, righteous indignation.

Hearing her footsteps, the young man turned, glancing at her admiringly, said: 

“Good evening, Miss.”

Nell had not expected such a matter-of-fact greeting from Joe.  There was not the slightest trace of repentance in his calm face, and he placidly continued his labor.

“Aren’t you sorry you—­you treated me so?” burst out Nell.

His coolness was exasperating.  Instead of the contrition and apology she had expected, and which was her due, he evidently intended to tease her, as he had done so often.

The young man dropped a blanket and stared.

“I don’t understand,” he said, gravely.  “I never saw you before.”

This was too much for quick-tempered Nell.  She had had some vague idea of forgiving him, after he had sued sufficiently for pardon; but now, forgetting her good intentions in the belief that he was making sport of her when he should have pleaded for forgiveness, she swiftly raised her hand and slapped him smartly.

The red blood flamed to the young man’s face; as he staggered backward with his hand to his cheek, she heard a smothered exclamation behind her, and then the quick, joyous barking of a dog.

When Nell turned she was amazed to see Joe standing beside the wagon, while a big white dog was leaping upon him.  Suddenly she felt faint.  Bewildered, she looked from Joe to the man she had just struck; but could not say which was the man who professed to love her.

“Jim!  So you followed me!” cried Joe, starting forward and flinging his arms around the other.