THE FAILURE Before noon Shorty, that lightweight and tireless rider, unwearied, to all appearance, by his efforts of that night, had started towards Glosterville with her letter to Perris, but it was not until the next day that she confessed what she had done to Hervey.

Certainly he had done more than his share in his effort to get back the Coles horses and she had no wish to needlessly hurt his feelings by letting him know that the business was to be taken out of his hands and given into those of a more efficient worker.

But Hervey surprised her by the complaisance with which he heard the tidings.
"Never in my life hung out a shingle as a hoss-catcher," he assured her.
"He's welcome to the job.

Me and the boys won't envy him none.

It'll be a long trail and a tolerable lonely one, most like." After that she settled down to wait with as great a feeling of security as though the mares were already safely back in the corral.