He took her traveling case from her hand, muttering a proffer to assist her. They walked away together. For the second time the loafers at Adonia saw Latisan escorting a strange woman along the street, and this one, also, was patently from the city, in spite of her modest attire. "Seems to be doing quite a wholesale business, importing dynamite and wimmen," observed a cynic. "According to the stories in Tomah, he has put in quite a lot of time looking over the market in regard to that last-named," agreed another detractor. "And when Eck Flagg gets the news I'd rather take my chances with the dynamite than with the wimmen," stated the cynic. "I guess I talked to you like an idiot at first," said Latisan, when he and his companion were apart from the persons on the station platform. "I'm getting control of my surprise. I remember you told me you were homesick for the woods. That's why you're up here, I suppose." "It's one reason, Mr. Latisan." "I'm sorry it isn't a better time of year. I'd like to--to--If you aren't going to be tied up too much with friends, I could show you around a little. But right now I'm tied up, myself. I'm drive master for Echford Flagg--you remember about speaking of him." "Yes; but I shall not trouble Mr. Flagg," she hastened to say. "He will not be interested in me simply on account of my friends. You are very busy on the drive, are you?" she questioned, earnestly. "Oh yes. I've got to start for headwaters in the morning." There was doleful regret in his tones. He was rather surprised to find so much pleased animation in her face; truly, this girl from the city acted as if she were delighted by the news of his going away; she even seemed to be confessing it. "I'm glad!" she cried. Then she smoothed matters after a glance at his grieved and puzzled face. "I'm glad to hear a man say that he's devoted to his work. So many these days don't seem to take any interest in what they're doing--they only talk wages. Yours must be a wonderful work--on the river--the excitement and all!" "Yes," he admitted, without enthusiasm. The street was muddy and they went slowly; he hung back as if he wanted to drag out the moments of their new companionship. He cast about for a topic; he did not feel like expatiating on the prospects ahead of him in his work. "If you're going to make much of a stop here----" She did not take advantage of his pause; he hoped she would indicate the proposed length of her stay, and he was worrying himself into a panic for fear she would not be in Adonia on his next visit to report to Flagg. "I wish we had a better hotel here, so that you'd stay all contented for a time--and--and enjoy the country hereabouts." "Isn't the hotel a fit place for a woman who is unaccompanied?"