As the shadows began to lengthen, and the sun seemed hovering over a snow-crowned peak that stood out boldly against the western horizon, Houston was seen approaching the house, and at a little distance, Maverick and his two sons. Lyle, who was then standing on the outer edge of the group, talking with Miss Gladden, was quick to observe a sudden movement on Ned's part, as, turning toward his brother, he made some brief remark in low tones, regarding the approaching trio. She well knew the tenor of his remark, and watched closely to see its effect. She saw Morton Rutherford glance in the direction indicated by a slight motion of Ned's head, and then, though he betrayed no surprise by word or movement, an expression of astonishment crossed his face, but only for an instant. His features grew white and stern, and he watched every movement of the three figures, as, with stealthy, slouching gait and suspicious looks, they stole around the corner of the house, and the expression of his eye seemed to Lyle like that of a judge passing sentence on a condemned criminal. He did not look at Lyle immediately, perhaps he was conscious of the eyes watching him so narrowly from under the heavily drooping lids, fringed with long, golden lashes, but when he did look toward her, there was a depth of meaning in those dark eyes which she could not fathom. Twenty-four hours before, Lyle standing there, under those circumstances, would have been crushed with humiliation, but in the light of the revelation of the night before, she met his glance with an expression which to him seemed utterly inscrutable. There was neither shame nor apology written on her face, as with a calm, bright smile, and the same self-possessed manner, she turned and passed into the house. Upon entering the dining-room, Lyle heard angry words in the kitchen, and paused to listen. The voice was Maverick's. "Who in hell is that new feller you've got up here?" "That's the brother of the young feller that was here a spell ago," answered the voice of Minty, who was just emerging from the pantry. "Damn you! who asked you to say anything? Git out of here," he roared, and Minty made a hasty retreat into the cellar. "Who's that new feller out there?" he again demanded of his wife. "His name is Rutherford, and he's a brother of the young man that come out here with Mr. Houston," was her reply. "What's his business here?" "I guess he hain't got none, he seems to be out here for pleasure like his brother." "Pleasure!" growled Maverick, with an oath, "there's too many of 'em, damn 'em, out here for pleasure; I'd give some of 'em some pleasure that they ain't a lookin' for, if I had a chance." His wife made no response. "What's that girl Lyle tricked out in such finery for?" he next asked. "They're clothes that Miss Gladden give her," Mrs. Maverick replied, "and it saves us jest so much, so you needn't growl; besides she looks nice."