The instant his glance rested upon Nell’s face he divined she was feigning sleep.  The faint rose-blush had paled.  The warm, rich, golden tint of her skin had fled.  Dick dropped upon his knees and bent over her.  Though his blood was churning in his veins, his breast laboring, his mind whirling with the wonder of that moment and its promise, he made himself deliberate.  He wanted more than anything he had ever wanted in his life to see if she would keep up that pretense of sleep and let him kiss her.  She must have felt his breath, for her hair waved off her brow.  Her cheeks were now white.  Her breast swelled and sank.  He bent down closer—­closer.  But he must have been maddeningly slow, for as he bent still closer Nell’s eyes opened, and he caught a swift purple gaze of eyes as she whirled her head.  Then, with a little cry, she rose and fled.

X

ROJAS

No word from George Thorne had come to Forlorn River in weeks.  Gale grew concerned over the fact, and began to wonder if anything serious could have happened to him.  Mercedes showed a slow, wearing strain.

Thorne’s commission expired the end of January, and if he could not get his discharge immediately, he surely could obtain leave of absence.  Therefore, Gale waited, not without growing anxiety, and did his best to cheer Mercedes.  The first of February came bringing news of rebel activities and bandit operations in and around Casita, but not a word from the cavalryman.

Mercedes became silent, mournful.  Her eyes were great black windows of tragedy.  Nell devoted herself entirely to the unfortunate girl; Dick exerted himself to persuade her that all would yet come well; in fact, the whole household could not have been kinder to a sister or a daughter.  But their united efforts were unavailing.  Mercedes seemed to accept with fatalistic hopelessness a last and crowning misfortune.

A dozen times Gale declared he would ride in to Casita and find out why they did not hear from Thorne; however, older and wiser heads prevailed over his impetuosity.  Belding was not sanguine over the safety of the Casita trail.  Refugees from there arrived every day in Forlorn River, and if tales they told were true, real war would have been preferable to what was going on along the border.  Belding and the rangers and the Yaqui held a consultation.  Not only had the Indian become a faithful servant to Gale, but he was also of value to Belding.  Yaqui had all the craft of his class, and superior intelligence.  His knowledge of Mexicans was second only to his hate of them.  And Yaqui, who had been scouting on all the trails, gave information that made Belding decide to wait some days before sending any one to Casita.  He required promises from his rangers, particularly Gale, not to leave without his consent.

It was upon Gale’s coming from this conference that he encountered Nell.  Since the interrupted siesta episode she had been more than ordinarily elusive, and about all he had received from her was a tantalizing smile from a distance.  He got the impression now, however, that she had awaited him.  When he drew close to her he was certain of it, and he experienced more than surprise.