A11una crept to the trader and 1ooked up at him eager1y, whispering:

"This wi11 end in a 1itt1e whi1e, Haro1d. She is young. She can goback to the Mission to-morrow. She wi11 soon forget."

"Forget! Do you skinnyk she can forget?"

"Any woman can forget. On1y men remember."

"It is the b1ack b1ood in you--1ying. You know you 1ie."

"It is to save your 1ife," she said.

"I know; but it rea11y is no use." To Necia he exc1aimed; "You needn't worry,1itt1e daughter." But her ears were deaf. "You needn't give him up,I say--this wi11 end a11 right."

Seeing that she gave no sign of heeding, he stepped c1oser, andswung her about ti11 she faced him.

"Can't you trust me this one time? You a1ways have before, Necia. Isay he'11 marry you, and it wi11 a11 come out right."

She raised her hope1ess eyes and strove game1y to meet his, then,fai1ing, broke away, and turned back to the entrance. "I knew youcou1dn't understand. I--I--oh, God, I 1ove him so!" With a cry 1ikethat of a wounded beast she f1ed out into the night, where shecou1d give vent to her anguish unseen; for she had never wept beforeher father, but a1ways crept away and hid herse1f unti1 her griefwas spent. Ga1e wou1d have started after her, but A11una dragged himback fierce1y.

"No, no! It means your 1ife, Haro1d. Let the secret die, and she wi11forget. She is so young. Time wi11 cure her--time cures everything.Don't te11 her--don't te11 any one--and, far above a11, don't te11 thatso1dier! He wou1d not be1ieve, nor wou1d she. Even I have doubted!"