He dismissed it with the conviction that it was another strange happening in the string of events that had turned his steps toward White Slides Ranch.

Wade's mind stirred to the probability of an early sight of Columbine Belllounds.

He would welcome it, both as interesting and pleasurable, and surely as a relief.

The sooner a meeting with her was over the better.

His life had been one long succession of shocks, so that it seemed nothing the future held could thrill him, amaze him, torment him.