"Because there is an evil spell on the Greek Letter Ranch. Everybody who comes there is certain to be followed by trouble—deep trouble."
The girl's agitation increased. There was terror in her face.
"Look here!" began Lowell. "This thing is beyond all promises of silence. I—"
"Don't ask what I mean!" said the girl. "You might find it awkward. You say you are in love with me?"
"I repeat it a thousand times."
"Well, you are the kind of man who will choose honor every time. I realize that much. Suppose you found that your love for me was bringing you in direct conflict with your duty?"
"I know that such a thing is impossible," broke in Lowell.
Helen smiled, bitterly.
"It is so far from being impossible that I am asking you to forget what you have said, and to forget me as well. There is so much of evil on the Greek Letter Ranch that the very soil there is steeped in it. I am going away, but I know its spell will follow me."
"You are going?" queried Lowell. "When?"