"Eet be nice to valk; I nevah 'fraid vid you." Brown led the way forward cautiously across the open space, one strong hand firm on the pony's bit, the other barely touching her dress as though it were something sacred.

She endeavored to discern his face in the faint starlight, but the low-drawn hat brim shaded it into black lines, revealing nothing.

The light, easy words she sought to speak, hoping thus to keep him from more serious talk, would not come to her lips.

There was so much of silence and mystery on every side, so much of doubt in this venture, that, in spite of her gay manner, every nerve tingled with excitement.

Glancing up at him she bit her lips in embarrassment.