Bo reined in the mustang at the porch steps. She wore a buckskin riding-suit which she had made herself, and its soft gray with the touches of red beads was mightily becoming to her. Then she had grown considerably during the winter and now looked too flashing and pretty to resemble a boy, yet singularly healthy and strong and lithe. Red spots shone in her cheeks and her eyes held that ever-dangerous blaze. “Nell, did you give me away to that cowboy?” she demanded. “Give you away!” exclaimed Helen, blankly. “Yes. You know I told you--awhile back--that I was wildly in love with him. Did you give me away--tell on me?” She might have been furious, but she certainly was not confused. “Why, Bo! How could you? No. I did not,” replied Helen. “Never gave him a hint?” “Not even a hint. You have my word for that. Why? What's happened?” “He makes me sick.” Bo would not say any more, owing to the near approach of the cowboy. “Mawnin', Miss Nell,” he drawled. “I was just tellin' this here Miss Bo-Peep Rayner--” “Don't call me that!” broke in Bo, with fire in her voice. “Wal, I was just tellin' her thet she wasn't goin' off on any more of them long rides. Honest now, Miss Nell, it ain't safe, an'--” “You're not my boss,” retorted Bo. “Indeed, sister, I agree with him. You won't obey me.” “Reckon some one's got to be your boss,” drawled Carmichael. “Shore I ain't hankerin' for the job. You could ride to Kingdom Come or off among the Apaches--or over here a ways”--at this he grinned knowingly--“or anywheres, for all I cared. But I'm workin' for Miss Nell, an' she's boss. An' if she says you're not to take them rides--you won't. Savvy that, miss?” It was a treat for Helen to see Bo look at the cowboy. “Mis-ter Carmichael, may I ask how you are going to prevent me from riding where I like?” “Wal, if you're goin' worse locoed this way I'll keep you off'n a hoss if I have to rope you an' tie you up. By golly, I will!” His dry humor was gone and manifestly he meant what he said. “Wal,” she drawled it very softly and sweetly, but venomously, “if--you--ever--touch--me again!” At this he flushed, then made a quick, passionate gesture with his hand, expressive of heat and shame. “You an' me will never get along,” he said, with a dignity full of pathos. “I seen thet a month back when you changed sudden-like to me. But nothin' I say to you has any reckonin' of mine. I'm talkin' for your sister. It's for her sake. An' your own.... I never told her an' I never told you thet I've seen Riggs sneakin' after you twice on them desert rides. Wal, I tell you now.” The intelligence apparently had not the slightest effect on Bo. But Helen was astonished and alarmed. “Riggs! Oh, Bo, I've seen him myself--riding around. He does not mean well. You must be careful.” “If I ketch him again,” went on Carmichael, with his mouth lining hard, “I'm goin' after him.”