"It was because I was something new and strange," said Isabel. "People have these infatuations, but they don't amount to anything, they don't last. You'll get over it and wonder how you ever could have looked at me. I'm a most ordinary everyday person, but Lethie is beautiful, body and soul." "Your looks suit me all right," said Fult, shortly. "You said a minute back you liked me immensely. Did you mean hit?" "I meant just what I said, and no more: like, not love," said Isabel, firmly. "Well," demanded Fult, tensely, "is there anybody else you _do_ love?" An unexpected thought of Thomas Vance crossed Isabel's mind, only to be carelessly dismissed. "I can answer you truly, I am not in love with any man; I don't think I am the falling-in-love kind." Fult veiled a triumphant gleam in his eyes. "Hit's all I want to know," he said. "If you don't already love nobody else, you can learn to love me." Isabel answered sharply: "Of one thing you may be sure--I'd never let myself love a man who changes so easily as you do, and can be willing to treat a girl as you would treat Lethie." Fult laughed, as if highly amused. "I'd never change to _you_," he said, with conviction; "I'd never treat _you_ no way but right." Then, leaning toward her with pleading eyes, he said: "I hain't so hard to love, am I?" Isabel rose. "I have told you what I shall do if you persist in this," she said. Fult smiled. "I'd foller you down to the level land if you went," he declared. "Hit wouldn't make any difference to me where you was. I don't know but what I'd like hit better down there, without so many people around all the time." "There would be my father and mother," said Isabel; "and I can tell you they would be very far from approving of you." "Why?" demanded Fult, in a tone of surprise. "Because of the wild and reckless things you have done." Fult threw back his head and laughed aloud. "Do you allow that would make any difference to me?" he asked. "I wouldn't ax nobody for my wife--if she liked me, I'd take her in the teeth of all the devils of hell! You mind how Earl Brand, and the Elf Knight, and all them other old-time fellows in the ballats done? Well, that's my way. I don't know but what I'd enjoy hit better if I did have to steal you!" "Mr. Fallon," said Isabel, with dignity, "I see it is useless for us to talk further. Finish the girth and put the saddle on for me, please, and I'll ride on, and get my things together to start home to-morrow." Fult reached up and gripped her wrist till it hurt. "Do you think you can get away from me that way?" he said fiercely. "Don't you know I allus have what I want before I finish? That nothing can't stop me?"