“Go!” she said with a flickering smile.  “Go!  For—­a little while,” and then she tried to smile again.

He made a motion to take her in his arms and kiss her; but she drew back suddenly, and spread her hands before her, motioning him back.

“I tell you you must not now.  Go!  Go! or I will never speak to you again.”

He looked into her eyes, and seemed to feel a power that he must obey.  Half sullenly he drew back toward the door.

“But, Bess, this ain’t the way to treat a fellow,” he whined.  “I came way back here to take care of you.  I tell you I love you, and I’m going to have you.  There ain’t any other fellow going to run off with you—­”

“Stop!” she cried tragically.  “Don’t you see you’re not doing right?  My brother is just dead.  I must have some time to mourn.  It is only decent.”  She was standing now with her back to the little cupboard behind whose door lay the two pistols.  Her hand was behind her on the wooden latch.

“You don’t respect my trouble!” she said, catching her breath, and putting her hand to her eyes.  “I don’t believe you care for me when you don’t do what I say.”

The man was held at bay.  He was almost conquered by her sign of tears.  It was a new phase of her to see her melt into weakness so.  He was charmed.

“How long must I stay away?” he faltered.

She could scarcely speak, so desperate she felt.  O if she dared but say, “Forever,” and shout it at him!  She was desperate enough to try her chances at shooting him if she but had the pistols, and was sure they were loaded—­a desperate chance indeed against the best shot on the Pacific coast, and a desperado at that.

She pressed her hands to her throbbing temples, and tried to think.  At last she faltered out,

“Three days!”

He swore beneath his breath, and his brows drew down in heavy frowns that were not good to see.  She shuddered at what it would be to be in his power forever.  How he would play with her and toss her aside!  Or kill her, perhaps, when he was tired of her!  Her life on the mountain had made her familiar with evil characters.

He came a step nearer, and she felt she was losing ground.

Straightening up, she said coolly: 

“You must go away at once, and not think of coming back at least until to-morrow night.  Go!” With wonderful control she smiled at him, one frantic, brilliant smile; and to her great wonder he drew back.  At the door he paused, a softened look upon his face.

“Mayn’t I kiss you before I go?”

She shuddered involuntarily, but put out her hands in protest again.  “Not to-night!” She shook her head, and tried to smile.

He thought he understood her, but turned away half satisfied.  Then she heard his step coming back to the door again, and she went to meet him.  He must not come in.  She had gained in sending him out, if she could but close the door fast.  It was in the doorway that she faced him as he stood with one foot ready to enter again.  The crafty look was out upon his face plainly now, and in the sunlight she could see it.