"By the way," said Mr. Hargreaves, "I shouldn't let Rosebud come to the Mission on Sunday. I shan't be there, but Jackson from Pine Ridge will hold the service. You see, there's--well----" The churchman broke off, and turned appealingly to the Agent. "The fact is," Parker said, in his quick, abrupt manner, "Jim Crow and some of the other boys have warned me that these red heathens are 'making med'cine.' I don't know what it means--yet. I wish to goodness the troops were nearer." The Agent's hard face was very set. His final wish was the key-note of his life. His was truly an unsmiling existence. "So you're jest goin' in to sound the warnin'," observed Seth. The other nodded. "I'd like to cancel Little Black Fox's pass on Monday," Parker went on, "but it would be a bad policy. Anyway, if he goes out for a month the others will likely keep quiet until he comes back, unless of course this pass of his has another meaning. I shall have him tracked. But--well, we'd best get on. I should give some slight word of this to the Rankin people and old Joe Smith, north of you, and any one else you have time to--I mean the men-folk. You know, the usual thing, pass it on." After a few more remarks the buckboard drove off and Rube and Seth returned to their work. The silence between them was broken at last by Rube. "Seems to me ther's something to that pass." "Yes," said Seth, thoughtfully. Then, with an impatient gesture, "Guess I'll go into Beacon myself to-day. There's a thing or two for me to do. Keep an eye on the wimminfolk. Guess I'll git goin' now." Seth's announcement was received without question by Rube, for there was perfect understanding between these men. Half an hour later Seth was leading his horse from the barn ready saddled for the journey. As he moved out he saw Rosebud coming toward him from the house. He waited, and she came up in something of a flutter of confusion. She had an unusual color, and her eyes were sparkling. Seth noted these things while he appeared to be arranging the contents of his saddle-bags. "Pa says you're going into Beacon Crossing, Seth," she said without preamble, as she stood at the horse's head and idly smoothed its velvety muzzle with her soft brown hand. "That's so," the man answered. "I've written a letter to New York for a store price list. Will you mail it?" "Sure." There was an odd smile in Seth's dark eyes. He knew this was not the girl's object in coming to him. He always called in at the house to ask for letters at the last moment before starting. There was a slight awkwardness while he waited for the girl to go on. Suddenly Rosebud stooped and ran her hands down the horse's fore-legs. Her face was thus concealed. "Seth, I used to think you wanted to get rid of me. You remember? Well, I--I think I know differently now. I'm sure I do. And I want to say I'm sorry for being angry and nasty about it that time. What beautiful clean legs Buck has got."