"That was the reason I have been a-pesterin' you, goin' back'ards and for'ards. I hope you will excuse me of it," she said irrelevantly. Keith sat quite still for a moment, as it all came over him. It was, then, him that the man was after, not robbery, and this girl, unable to restrain her discarded suitor without pointing suspicion to him, had imperilled her life for Keith, when he was conceited enough to more than half accept the hints of strangers that she cared for him. "We must get him away," he said, rising painfully. "Where is he?" "He's hid in a house down the road. I have flung 'em off the track by abusin' of him. They know I am against him, and they think I am after you," she said, looking at him with frank eyes; "and I have been lettin' 'em think it," she added quietly. Keith almost gasped. Truly this girl was past his comprehension. "We must get him away," he said. "How can we do it?" she asked. "They suspicion he's here, and the pickets are out. If he warn't hit in the shoulder so bad, he could fight his way out. He ain't afraid of none of 'em," she added, with a flash of the old pride. "I could go with him and help him; I have done it before; but I would have to break up here. He's got to see a doctor." Keith sat in reflection for a moment. "Tim Gilsey is going to drive the stage over to Eden to-night. Go down and see if the places are all taken." "I have got a place on it," she said, "on the boot." As Keith looked at her, she added in explanation: "I take it regular, so as to have it when I want it." Under Keith's glance she turned away her eyes. "I am going to Eden to-night," said Keith. She looked puzzled. "If you could get old Tim to stop at that house for five minutes till I give Bluffy a letter to Dr. Balsam over at the Springs, I think we might arrange it. My clothes will fit him. You will have to see Uncle Tim." Her countenance lit up. "You mean you would stop there and let him take your place?" "Yes." The light of craft that must have been in Delilah's eyes when Samson lay at her feet was in her face. She sprang up. "I will never forgit you, and Bill won't neither. He knows now what a hound he has been. When you let him off last night after he had slipped on the rock, he says that was enough for him. Before he will ever pull a pistol on you ag'in, he says he will blow his own brains out; and he will, or I will for him." She looked capable of it as she stood with glowing eyes and after a moment held out her hand. She appeared about to speak, but reflected and turned away.