The cook bustled back into the house, to return with a sealed envelope addressed to Houston.

He slit it with a trembling finger.
"What she say ?" Ba'tiste was leaning from the buggy.

Houston took his place beside him, and as the horse was turned back toward the trapper's cabin, read aloud: "Dearest Barry: "Hate awfully to run away like this without seeing you, but it can't be helped.

Have an offer of a position in St.Louis that I can't very well refuse.

Will write you from there.
"Love and kisses.
"AGNES." Ba'tiste slapped the reins on the horse's back.
"She is like the Judas, eh ?" he asked quietly, and Houston cringed with the realization that he had spoken the truth.