Most of the way they covered in silence. Just before they reached the village, Reed came to what was in his mind. “You an’ Betty had any trouble, Hollister?” The younger man considered this a moment. “No trouble; that is, not exactly trouble.” “She’s high-headed,” her father said, rather by way of explanation than apology. “But she’s the salt of the earth. Don’t you make any mistake about that.” “I wouldn’t be likely to,” his guest said quietly. “She’s the finest girl I ever met.” The cowman looked quickly at him. “Did she go to the Quarter Circle D E because of anything that took place between you an’ her?” “I think so.” He added a moment later an explanation: “I let her see how much I thought of her. It slipped out. I hadn’t meant to.” Reed was still puzzled. He knew his daughter liked the young fellow by his side. “Did that make her mad?” he asked. “No. I found out she cared for me.” “You mean--?” “Yes.” The face of the engineer flushed. “It was a complete surprise to me. I had thought my feelings wouldn’t matter because she would never find out about them. When she did--and told me that she--cared for me, I had to tell her where I stand.” “Just where do you stand?” “I can’t marry. You must know why.” Clint flicked the whip and the young team speeded. When he had steadied them to a more sedate pace, he spoke. “I reckon I do. But--you’ve given it up, haven’t you?” “Yes.” He qualified the affirmative. “I’m not the first man who thought he’d given it up and hadn’t.” “Got doubts about it, have you?” “No. I think I’m done with the cursed stuff. But how do I know?” Tug went into details as to the nature of the disease. He finished with a sentence that was almost a cry. “I’d rather see her dead than married to a victim of that habit.” “What did Betty say to that?” “What I’d expect her to say. She wouldn’t believe there was any danger. Wouldn’t have it for a minute. You know how generous she is. Then, when I insisted on it, she seemed to think it was an excuse and walked out of the room. I haven’t seen her since. She wouldn’t let me have a chance.” “I don’t see as there’s much you could say--unless you’re aimin’ to renig.” Reed’s voice took on a trace of resentment. “Seems to me, young fellow, it was up to you not to let things get as far as they did between you an’ Betty. That wasn’t hardly a square deal for her. You get her to tell you how she feels to you, an’ then you turn her down. I don’t like that a-tall.” Tug did not try to defend himself. “That’s one way of looking at it. I ought never to have come to the house,” he said with humility. “I wish you hadn’t. But wishing don’t get us anywhere. Point is, what are we going to do about it?” “I don’t see anything to do. I’d take the first train out if it would help any,” Hollister replied despondently. “Don’t you go. I’ll have a talk with her an’ see how she feels first.” Hollister promised not to leave until he had heard from Reed. CHAPTER XXXIV BORN THAT WAY