But she dared not do so, for she knew if he ever kissed her again her duty to Belllounds would vanish like mist in the sun.
To release her hold upon him seemed like a tearing of her heartstrings.
She sat up, she wiped the tears from her eyes, she rose to her feet, all the time striving for strength to face him again.
A loud voice ringing from the cliffs outside, startled Columbine.

It came from Wade calling the hounds.

He had returned, and the fact stirred her.
"I'm to marry Jack Belllounds on October first." The cowboy raised himself up as far as he was able.

It was agonizing for Columbine to watch the changing and whitening of his face! "No--no!" he gasped.
"Yes, it's true," she replied, hopelessly.
"_No!_" he exclaimed, hoarsely.
"But, Wilson, I tell you yes.

I came to tell you.