“An’ that will be funny, won’t it?” blurted out Strobel, suddenly revealing his depth of warmth.

“It certainly will,” laughed Ina, spiritedly.

“Wal, I’m sure thankin’ you, Miss Ina,” he said. “You’ve given me a different angle to work on. You’re a smart girl. Reckon I’d rather be in Ben’s boots right now than in your dad’s.”

His smile, his tone, seemed an unmasking of an aloof and unresponsive character. Ina began to quiver with a fear that she was hoping too much.

“You don’t mean—on account—of me?” she queried, falteringly.

“No, just on the face of things, as they look now,” he replied, thoughtfully. “Still, you can never tell. I represent the law hereabouts, but if I don’t round up these rustlers this summer I’ll lose my job. Amos Ide, your dad, Setter, an’ other ranchers on the board have given me that hunch. An’ if they fetch officers from Redlands, or Klamath, it might result in trouble for Ben. They’re after him. Even Ben’s own father says he ought to be run out of the country…. But as for me—wal, even before I had this talk with you I’d have had to ketch Ben Ide stealin’ cattle before I’d arrest him.”

Toward the close Strobel had spoken ringingly, the force and content of which words quite overcame Ina. She could only stare up at this tall sheriff in speechless gratitude.

“An’ here’s why, Miss Ina,” he concluded, smiling down on her. “I’ve known Ben Ide since he was a kid. I taught him to fish. He’s no more a cattle an’ hoss thief than I am.”

That was too much for Ina’s dignity and reserve, already sadly decimated by her success in propitiating this sheriff. She answered only to joyous impulse. She wanted to give him all she owned; she could have bestowed a fortune upon him, had she possessed one. But she had nothing to give a man—except gratitude, admiration, affection. His smile was understanding though wistful. Suddenly Ina reached up and warmly kissed his brown cheek. Then she sank down, abashed and scarlet of face, yet laughing at the spectacle of this matured man standing as if petrified.

“There, Mr. Strobel, that’s not from your deputy—but from your friend—forever,” she said, with a gayety full of depth, and then she fled out of the office.

* * * * *

Next day Sheriff Strobel rode away down the lake trail toward Forlorn River. No doubt he intended to visit Ben Ide on his way south. At first the idea pleased Ina, then on second thought it frightened her. Surely Strobel would mention her tremendous interest in Ben and his fortunes. That might be all right and then again it might not. It depended upon how Strobel had interpreted her interest and upon what he told. Big–hearted, simple man, he might take for granted that Ben knew she loved him! Most assuredly she had betrayed that love to Strobel. She didn’t mind his knowing. But Ben! Ina suffered an incomprehensible attack of fright, dread, wonder and horror, shame and glory, all inextricably mixed together. She had a bad hour, and when she came out of it she was downcast and thoughtful all the rest of the day. At supper time Marvie brought news that ordinarily would have been sufficient to make her happy.