"The regular ford of this river's down below," he added to the speechless convict, standing there gaunt and wondering upon the marge. "So long." Barger said nothing. Van rode away on the trail by the stream, and was presently gone, around the bend. CHAPTER XXXVI VAN RUNS AMUCK Instead of turning northward in the mountain range and riding on to the "Laughing Water" claim, Van continued straight ahead to Goldite. The letter to Beth was heavy in his pocket. Until he should rid himself of its burden he knew he should have no peace--no freedom to act for himself. He had been delayed. The sun was setting when at last he rode his broncho to the hay-yard in the camp, and saw that he was fed with proper care. Then he got some boots and walked to Mrs. Dick's. Beth, from her window, looking towards the sun, discovered him coming to the place. She had never in her life felt so wildly joyous at beholding any being of the earth. She had watched for hours, counting his steps across the desert's desolation one by one, tracing his course from Starlight "home" by all the signs along the trail which she and he had traveled together. She ran downstairs like a child. She had momentarily forgotten even Glen. Nothing counted but this sight of Van--his presence here with herself. When she suddenly burst from the door into all the golden glory of the sunset, herself as glorious with color, warmth, and youth as the great day-orb in the west, Van felt his heart give one tumultuous heave in his breast, despite the resentment he harbored. There had never been a moment when her smile had been so radiant, when the brown of her eyes had been so softly lighted and glowing, when her cheeks had so mirrored her beauty. How superb she was, he said to himself--how splendid was her acting! He could almost forgive himself for having played the fool. His helplessness, his defenselessness had been warranted. But--her smile could befuddle him no more. He took off his hat, with a certain cold elegance of grace. His face still wore that chiseled appearance of stone-like hardness. "Oh!" she cried, in her irrepressible happiness of heart. "You're home! You're safe! I'm glad!" It was nothing, her cry that he was safe. She had worried only for the desert's customary perils, but this he could not know. He thought she referred to a possible meeting with Barger. He was almost swept from his balance by her look, for a bright bit of moisture had sprung in her eyes and her smile took on a tenderness that all but conquered him anew. "I delivered your letter in Starlight," he said. "I return your brother's reply." He had taken the letter from his pocket. He held it forth.