“Uncle Jim!” she said, tremulously, with a different smile from any Venters had ever seen on her face.

Lassiter took her into his arms.

“I reckon.  It’s powerful fine to hear that,” replied Lassiter, unsteadily.

Venters, feeling his eyes grow hot and wet, turned away, and found himself looking at Jane Withersteen.  He had almost forgotten her presence.  Tenderness and sympathy were fast hiding traces of her agitation.  Venters read her mind—­felt the reaction of her noble heart—­saw the joy she was beginning to feel at the happiness of others.  And suddenly blinded, choked by his emotions, he turned from her also.  He knew what she would do presently; she would make some magnificent amend for her anger; she would give some manifestation of her love; probably all in a moment, as she had loved Milly Erne, so would she love Elizabeth Erne.

“’Pears to me, folks, that we’d better talk a little serious now,” remarked Lassiter, at length.  “Time flies.”

“You’re right,” replied Venters, instantly.  “I’d forgotten time—­place—­ danger.  Lassiter, you’re riding away.  Jane’s leaving Withersteen House?”

“Forever,” replied Jane.

“I fired Withersteen House,” said Lassiter.

“Dyer?” questioned Venters, sharply.

“I reckon where Dyer’s gone there won’t be any kidnappin’ of girls.”

“Ah!  I knew it.  I told Judkins—­And Tull?” went on Venters, passionately.

“Tull wasn’t around when I broke loose.  By now he’s likely on our trail with his riders.”

“Lassiter, you’re going into the Pass to hide till all this storm blows over?”

“I reckon that’s Jane’s idea.  I’m thinkin’ the storm’ll be a powerful long time blowin’ over.  I was comin’ to join you in Surprise Valley.  You’ll go back now with me?”

“No.  I want to take Bess out of Utah.  Lassiter, Bess found gold in the valley.  We’ve a saddle-bag full of gold.  If we can reach Sterling—­”

“Man! how’re you ever goin’ to do that?  Sterlin’ is a hundred miles.”

“My plan is to ride on, keeping sharp lookout.  Somewhere up the trail we’ll take to the sage and go round Cottonwoods and then hit the trail again.”

“It’s a bad plan.  You’ll kill the burros in two days.”

“Then we’ll walk.”

“That’s more bad an’ worse.  Better go back down the Pass with me.”

“Lassiter, this girl has been hidden all her life in that lonely place,” went on Venters.  “Oldring’s men are hunting me.  We’d not be safe there any longer.  Even if we would be I’d take this chance to get her out.  I want to marry her.  She shall have some of the pleasures of life—­see cities and people.  We’ve gold—­we’ll be rich.  Why, life opens sweet for both of us.  And, by Heaven!  I’ll get her out or lose my life in the attempt!”

“I reckon if you go on with them burros you’ll lose your life all right.  Tull will have riders all over this sage.  You can’t get out on them burros.  It’s a fool idea.  That’s not doin’ best by the girl.  Come with me en’ take chances on the rustlers.”