He went wonderingly, for he could see she was excited and nervous. Her hand trembled as it touched his, but her mouth was set so firmly over the little white teeth that he knew it was better to humor her than fret her by persuading her to rest. But once beside Harris, she sat a long time in silence, looking out from the doorway across the level now active with the men of the works. Not until the two cousins had walked across to their other shelter did she speak, and then it was to Harris. "Joe, I am sick," she confessed; "not sick with the fever, but heartsick and headsick. You know how and maybe why." He nodded his head, and looked at Lyster questioningly. "And I've come in here to tell you something. Max, you won't mind. He can't talk, but knows me better than you do, I guess; for I've come to him before when I was troubled, and I want to tell him what you said to me in the boat." Max stared at her, but silently agreed when he saw she was in earnest. He even reached out his hand to take hers, but she drew away. "Wait till I tell him," she said, and turned to the helpless man in the chair. "He asked me to marry him--some day. Would it be right for me to say yes?" "'Tana!" exclaimed Lyster; but she raised her hand pleadingly. "I haven't any other person in the world I could go to and ask," she said. "He knows me better than you do, Max, and I--Oh! I don't think I should be always contented with your ways of living. I was born different--a heap different. But to-day it seems as if I am not strong enough to do without--some one--who likes me, and I do want to say 'yes' to you, yet I'm afraid it is only because I am sick at heart and lonely." It was a declaration likely to cool the ardor of most lovers, but Lyster reached out his hand to her and laughed. "Oh, you dear girl," he said, fondly. "Did your conscience make it necessary for you to confess in this fashion? Now listen. You are weak and nervous; you need some one to look after you. Doesn't she, Harris? Well, take me on trial. I will devote myself to your interests for six months, and if at the end of that time you find that it was only sickness and loneliness that ailed you, and not liking me, then I give you my word I'll never try to hold you to a promise. You will be well and strong by that time, and I'll stand by the decision you make then. Will you say 'yes,' now?" She looked at Harris, who nodded his head. Then she turned and gave her hand to Max. "Yes," she said. "But if you should be sorry--" "Not another word," he commanded; "the 'yes' is all I want to hear just now; when I get sorry I'll let you know." And that is the way their engagement began. CHAPTER XXI. LAVINA AND THE CAPTAIN. As the day wore on, 'Tana became more nervous and restless. With the dark, that man was to come for the gold she had promised. Lyster brought it to her, part in money, part in free gold, and as he laid it on the couch, she looked at him strangely.