She did not see how the thing could be; and yet somehow it might be, for many a strange thing did happen in this border world where for so long she had lived.

When finally she went to bed she slept little; her busy conjectures would not permit sleep.

And though the next day she went about her shop seemingly as usual, she was still thinking.
That night Joe Ellison came.

They met as though they had last seen each other but yesterday.
"Good-evening, Joe." "Glad to see you, Duchess." She held out to him a box of the best cigars, which she had bought against his coming, for she had remembered Joe Ellison's once fastidious taste regarding tobacco.

He lit one, and they fell into the easy silence of old friends, taking up their friendship exactly where it had been broken off.