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She led him into a large, cheerful living room, into which,

through big casement windows, the light streamed. It was a

pleasant room, despite its barbaric touch. There was a grizzly

bear skin before the great open, stone fireplace, and Navajo rugs

covered the floor and hung on the walls. The skin of a silver-tip

bear was stretched beneath a writing desk, a trophy of Arlie's

rifle, which hung in a rack above. Civilization had furnished its

quota to the room in a piano, some books, and a few photographs.

The Texan observed that order reigned here, even though it did

not interfere with the large effect of comfort.

The girl left him, to return presently with her aunt, to whom she

introduced him. Miss Ruth Dillon was a little, bright-eyed old

lady, whose hair was still black, and her step light. Evidently

she had her instructions, for she greeted their guest with

charming cordiality, and thanked him for the service he had

rendered her brother and her niece.