Ariel had sunk back in her chair.  “Why should your husband hide?” she asked, in a low voice.

“Waitin’ fer his chance at Cory,” the woman answered, huskily.  “I expect he’s afraid the cops are after him, too, on account of the trouble, and he doesn’t want to git locked up till he’s met Cory again.  They ain’t after him, but he may not know it.  They haven’t heard of the trouble, I reckon, or they’d of run Cory in.  He’s around town to-day, drinkin’ heavy, and I guess he’s lookin’ fer Mr. Fear about as hard as Mr. Louden is.”  She rose to her feet, lifted her coarse hands, and dropped them despairingly.  “Oh, I’m scared!” she said.  “Mr. Fear’s be’n mighty good to me.”

A slow and tired footstep was heard upon the stairs, and Joe’s dog ran into the room droopingly, wagged his tail with no energy, and crept under the desk.  Mrs. Fear wheeled toward the door and stood, rigid, her hands clenched tight, her whole body still, except her breast, which rose and fell with her tumultuous breathing.  She could not wait till the laggard step reached the landing.

“Mr. Louden!” she called, suddenly.

Joe’s voice came from the stairway.  “It’s all right, Claudine.  It’s all fixed up.  Don’t worry.”

Mrs. Fear gave a thick cry of relief and sank back in her chair as Joe entered the room.  He came in shamblingly, with his hand over his eyes as if they were very tired and the light hurt them, so that, for a moment or two, he did not perceive the second visitor.  Then he let his hand fall, revealing a face very white and worn.

“It’s all right, Claudine,” he repeated.  “It’s all right.”

He was moving to lay his hat on the desk when his eye caught first the roses, then fell upon Ariel, and he stopped stock-still with one arm outstretched, remaining for perhaps ten seconds in that attitude, while she, her lips parted, her eyes lustrous, returned his gaze with a look that was as inscrutable as it was kind.

“Yes,” she said, as if in answer to a question, “I have come here twice to-day.”  She nodded slightly toward Mrs. Fear.  “I can wait.  I am very glad you bring good news.”

Joe turned dazedly toward the other.  “Claudine,” he said, “you’ve been telling Miss Tabor.”

“I cert’nly have!” Mrs. Fear’s expression had cleared and her tone was cheerful.  “I don’t see no harm in that!  I’m sure she’s a good friend of yours, Mr. Louden.”

Joe glanced at Ariel with a faint, troubled smile, and turned again to Mrs. Fear.  “I’ve had a long talk with Happy.”

“I’m awful glad.  Is he ready to listen to reason? she asked, with a titter.

“He’s waiting for you.”

“Where?” She rose quickly.

“Stop,” said Joe, sharply.  “You must be very careful with him—­”

“Don’t you s’pose I’m goin’ to be?” she interrupted, with a catch in her voice.  “Don’t you s’pose I’ve had trouble enough?”