"What would you consider a fair price, Colonel?" "Well, Jim gave five dollars for him, to begin with, and refused two hundred and fifty dollars when he proved what stuff he had got. I should say three hundred dollars would be a fair price, four hundred dollars a good price and five hundred dollars an absolutely outside record price--scaled wholly on the fact that he's the fastest horse on these plains." "Would _you_ give five hundred dollars?" "Yes, I would. I'll give Hartigan five hundred dollars for Blazing Star right now, in hard cash; but I don't say I'll hold it out very long. Accidents will happen; winter is coming, and a bad wintering often ruins a horse." "Will you take the first chance to offer that to Hartigan? He'll refuse; but say you'll leave it open for a week, and I think you'll get Blazing Star." The Colonel laughed a little, and wondered what was up. His wife, when she heard of it, said: "Ho, ho! I know; they want to get married, and that's the easiest way to raise the needful." And thenceforth she took a motherly interest in the handsome couple. Within half an hour the Colonel found the chance to make his offer; and got what he expected, a flat refusal. "Sure, Colonel, it would be like selling the hand off my arm or the soul out of my body." "Well, well," said the Colonel, "never mind. I won't take your answer now; we'll leave it open for a week." After the midday meal, Jim and Belle mounted and rode away. Jim thought to take matters up where he had left off, but he found Belle inclined to be shy and rather preoccupied. He made several ineffectual attempts to get her to talk, but she always relapsed into silence. They were, indeed, half-way back, when Hartigan began for the fifth time: "You said you would tell me on the road back." "Tell you what?" "Tell me the condition on which you will have me." He leaned over and put his arm around her. This time she did not elude him. He clasped her and sought her lips and she allowed her head to sink on his shoulder while he gathered the reins of both horses in his hand, that they might not separate. She seemed content. "You do care for me, don't you?" she whispered. "Oh, Belle! I'd do anything for you. I'd give my life for you." "You would? Anything?" "Only try me." "Would you give up the ministry if I asked you?" "If--if--you thought it was right--I know it would be right. Yes, I'd do it." "Then I won't ask that. I'll put you to a smaller test. Will you face it?" "I'll promise now; I give you my word before you name it." "Then this is what I ask--that you sell Blazing Star to Colonel Waller right now, this very day." "Oh, oh, Belle!" he said, feebly; "Blazing Star!" "Yes, Jim, that is the condition. I love you, Jim; but you must choose now between us. Is it Belle or Blazing Star?"