[Illustration: "I know why you're going. It's to see that club-footed cowboy Moore!... Don't let me catch you with him."] Passion claimed him then. "I know why you're going. It's to see that club-footed cowboy Moore!... Don't let me catch you with him!" Columbine turned her back upon Belllounds and swung away, every pulse in her throbbing and smarting. She hurried on into the road. She wanted to run, not to get out of sight or hearing, but to fly from something, she knew not what. "Oh! it's more than his temper!" she cried, hot tears in her eyes. "He's mean--_mean_--MEAN! What's the use of me denying that--any more--just because I love dad?... My life will be wretched.... It _is_ wretched!" Her anger did not last long, nor did her resentment. She reproached herself for the tart replies that had inflamed Jack. Never again would she forget herself! "But he--he makes me furious," she cried, in sudden excuse for herself. "What did he say? 'That club-footed cowboy Moore'!... Oh, that was vile. He's heard, then, that poor Wilson has a bad foot, perhaps permanently crippled.... If it's true.... But why should he yell that he knew I wanted to see Wilson?... I did _not!_ I _do_ not.... Oh, but I do, I do!" And then Columbine was to learn straightway that she would forget herself again, that she had forgotten, and that a sadder, stranger truth was dawning upon her--she was discovering another Columbine within herself, a wilful, passionate, different creature who would no longer be denied. Almost before Columbine realized that she had started upon the visit she was within sight of the Andrews ranch. So swiftly had she walked! It behooved her to hide such excitement as had dominated her. And to that end she slowed her pace, trying to put her mind on other matters. The children saw her first and rushed upon her, so that when she reached the cabin door she could not well have been otherwise than rosy and smiling. Mrs. Andrews, ruddy and strong, looked the pioneer rancher's hard-working wife. Her face brightened at the advent of Columbine, and showed a little surprise and curiosity as well. "Laws, but it's good to see you, Columbine," was her greeting. "You 'ain't been here for a long spell." "I've been coming, but just put it off," replied Columbine. And so, after the manner of women neighbors, they began to talk of the fall round-up, and the near approach of winter with its loneliness, and the children, all of which naturally led to more personal and interesting topics. "An' is it so, Columbine, that you're to marry Jack Belllounds?" asked Mrs. Andrews, presently. "Yes, I guess it is," replied Columbine, smiling. "Humph! I'm no relative of yours or even a particular, close friend, but I'd like to say--" "Please don't," interposed Columbine. "All right, my girl. I guess it's better I don't say anythin'. It's a pity, though, onless you love this Buster Jack. An' you never used to do that, I'll swan."