“Do you always do that?” she questioned.

“Do what?” Reynolds asked in reply.

“Hustle like that at a woman’s call?”

“I never did so before, simply because I never had the chance.  This is a new experience to me.”

The girl looked at him steadily for a few seconds.  Then she smiled and held out her hand.

“I wish to thank you for what you have done for me to-day,” she naively told him.  “I am certain you saved my life.  My, that was a great shot you made!”

Reynolds took her hand in his, and a thrill of joy swept through his body.  It was not a soft hand, but brown and firm as if accustomed to toil.  Her eyes met his and there was something in her look which aroused the noblest within him.  It was an expression of admiration, almost hero-worship, and confidence.  It said to him, “I know I can trust you, for you are worthy.  You are different from most men in this region.  Why are you up here?”

“I am glad that I happened to be near,” Reynolds replied.  “I was merely resting and enjoying the scenery when you and the bear appeared.  You must be more careful in the future, as I might not be around.”

The girl gave a merry laugh, and brushed back a wayward tress of hair that had drifted temptingly over her right cheek.

“I forgot to bring my gun,” she explained, “and so the bear had me at its mercy.  It is always the way, isn’t it?  Something is sure to happen when you are not prepared.”

“And do you always ride alone in such dangerous places?” Reynolds asked.

“Oh, yes,” and again the girl smiled.  “Midnight and I know the trails well, don’t we, old boy?” and she affectionately patted the horse’s sleek neck.  “But we came farther to-day than usual.  But it was worth it, though, just to see that shot you made.  Won’t daddy be interested when I tell him about it.”

“It was nothing much,” Reynolds replied, although the sudden flush which mantled his face told Glen that he was pleased at her words of praise.  “I am used to shooting brutes.  In fact, it was my special work for several years.”

“Grizzlies?” the girl queried.

“Worse than grizzlies, and far more ugly, crafty, and brutal.”

“My, I never heard of such creatures,” and the girl’s eyes grew big with astonishment.

“Oh, I guess you have,” and Reynolds smiled.  “They raise and train them in Germany.  I met them in France.”

“What! were you over there?” Glen’s interest and admiration were intense now.

“Yes, almost from the beginning of the war.  I was a sharpshooter, you see, and so had excellent practice.”

“Oh!” It was all the girl said, but it thrilled the young man’s very soul, and when his eyes again met hers a sudden embarrassment came upon him.

“Do you live here?” he unexpectedly asked.

This question aroused Glen, and she at once assumed the defensive.  The expression in her eyes changed, and she looked apprehensively around.