She was paler than he had ever seen her, and more refined and
thoughtful, scarcely recognizable as the high-colored, powerful woman
for whom he had helped build the shanty in March. There were times now
when it seemed as if she were appealing to him, and his heart ached
with undefined sorrow as he looked about her prison-like home.
For half an hour she chatted with something of her old-time vivacity,
but when he went out her face resumed its gloomy lines, and she silenced
her husband with a glance when he attempted to keep up the cheerful
conversation.
The next morning, as she was dressing, she turned sick and faint for a
moment. Her breath seemed to fail her, and she sat down, dizzy and weak.
She was alone, but the red blood came swelling back into her face as she
waited.
She grew better soon, and rose and went about her work. Then the
excitement and pleasure of her trip, the expectation of meeting Rivers,
helped her to put her weakness away.
Bailey called for the Clayton girls, who were making their monthly visit
to their claim, and Mrs.
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