She changed instantly from her glad excitement, speaking with the careless abruptness of a boy. Her cousin rode alongside. She gave one glance at his companion, then wheeled her horse about and stationed herself a short distance away beside the breed boys. "This is a happy surprise, Hope," exclaimed her cousin. "What are you doing up here so far away from home?" She regarded him a trifle more friendly. "Is it possible you don't know? Didn't you tell him, Jim, that I had gone away? Oh, I forgot, you weren't at the ranch when I left, so you couldn't tell him. Well, I am here, as you can see, Sydney--partly because I wanted a change, partly because they wanted a school-teacher up here. I am staying at Joe Harris'. What are you doing here with those cattle?" "Oh, thought I'd go to work for a change. Just some cattle that I bought to hold for fall shipment." He turned to the man at his side, apologizing, then proceeded to introduce him to his cousin. The girl cut it short by a peculiar brief nod. "Oh, I've met Mr. Livingston before!" "Indeed?" said Carter in surprise, looking from one to the other. "At Harris'" explained the sheep-man. "She gave me one of the sweetest, most refreshing drinks of water it has ever been my privilege to enjoy." He spoke easily, yet was much perturbed. Here was his shy Indian maid, a remarkably prepossessed, up-to-date young woman. It took a little time to get it straightened out in his mind. "Of course I might have known that you two would have met. There are so few people here." Carter tried to speak indifferently. "Well, good-by," said the girl, moving away. "Don't be in a hurry! Where are you going, Hope?" called her cousin. "Sorry, but can't wait any longer. We're off for a day's exploring. Good-by." "I'll see you this evening. We're going to camp near Harris'," said Carter. "No, not this evening," she called back to him as she rode on up the gulch. "I won't be back till late, and then I'll be too tired to see anyone. Good-by, Jim--I'll see _you_ to-morrow." Old Jim watched her until she was lost to sight in the turn of the gulch. Livingston also watched her until she was out of sight. She rode astride, wearing a neat divided skirt, and sat her horse with all the ease and perfection of a young cowboy. Old Jim McCullen went on in trail of the cattle, while young Carter and Livingston followed leisurely. "Rather a cool greeting from a girl one expects to marry," said Carter, under his breath. "Is it possible--your fiancée!" Livingston's face became thoughtful. "You are to be congratulated," he said. Carter laughed nervously. "I can scarcely say she is _that_, yet--but it is her mother's wish. We have grown up together. Miss Hathaway is my cousin, my second cousin. I can see no reason why we will not be married--some time." "_Miss Hathaway_," mused his companion. "And you love her?" he asked quietly. "Certainly," answered Carter, wondering at the other's abrupt way of speaking.