Catherine's head under her bonnet, and now
and then he took a bottle of water from his
pocket and made her swallow a mouthful.
She staggered often as she walked, and the
road was black before her. Still, it was not
very long before the oddly shaped shack of
the three Johns came in sight; and as he
caught a glimpse of it, Waite quickened his
footsteps.

"What if he should be gone?" he said,
under his breath.

"Oh, come off!" said Catherine, angrily.
"He's not gone. You make me tired!"

But she was trembling when she stopped
just before the door to compose herself for
a moment. Indeed, she trembled so very
much that Waite put out his sprawling hand
to steady her. She gently felt the pressure
tightening, and Waite whispered in her ear:

"I guess I'd stand by him as well as any-
body, excep' you, Mis' Ford. He's been
my bes' friend. But I guess you like him
better, eh?"

Catherine raised her finger. She could
hear Henderson's voice within; it was