She was a dutiful daughter, but she occasionally found it difficult to maintain her respect for her father.

Had he been beaten down after a stubborn struggle she would with almost fierce loyalty have been proud of him: but Townshead, who spent most of his time safeguarding his constitution, had never fought at all.

Conflict of any kind jarred upon him.

Answering nothing, she sat still listening, until at last a tramp of horsehoofs became audible.

Somebody was riding that way, but there was another ranch farther up the valley, and her pulses throbbed when her strained senses told her that the horseman had reached the forking of the trail.