"But I'm a d--d fool, or worse, the fool of a fool.

Tell me, Teresa, is this man Low your lover ?" Teresa lowered her eyes as if in maidenly confusion.

"Well, if I'd known that YOU had any feeling of your own about it--if you'd spoken sooner--" "Answer me, you devil!" "He is." "And he has been with you here--yesterday--to-night ?" "He has." "Enough." He laughed a weak, foolish laugh, and, turning pale, suddenly lapsed against a tree.

He would have fallen, but with a quick instinct Teresa sprang to his side, and supported him gently to a root.

The action over, they both looked astounded.
"I reckon that wasn't much like either you or me," said Dunn slowly, "was it?
But if you'd let me drop then you'd have stretched out the biggest fool in the Sierras." He paused, and looked at her curiously.
"What's come over you; blessed if I seem to know you now." She was very pale again, and quiet; that was all.
"Teresa! d--n it, look here! When I was laid up yonder in Excelsior I said I wanted to get well for only two things.