The tears came to her eyes; in her swift revulsion of feeling she caught the thin uplifted hand between her own.

It seemed to her that he was about to raise them to his lips, but she withdrew them hastily, and moved away.

She had a strange fear that if he had kissed them, it might seem as if some dumb animal had touched them--or--IT MIGHT NOT.

The next day she felt a consciousness of this in his presence, and a wish that he was well-cured and away.

She determined to consult Dr.Duchesne on the subject when he next called.
But the doctor, secure in the welfare of his patient, had not visited him lately, and she found herself presently absorbed in the business of the ranch, which at this season was particularly trying.