To all who know the Golden West, And those who fain would feel Its charm and mystery, and test Its worth, which is so real; To all who love God’s mountains, His vast expanse of plain, His forests, lakes and fountains, And the secrets they contain— This book is humbly given.
—Tin Schreiner.
THE BRAND
[CHAPTER I]
BESS FLETCHER’S FIRST WESTERN ACQUAINTANCE
For two days the westbound train had hurried over the prairies as if it understood the heart of the girl and strove to gratify her impatience for a glimpse of the mountains. She sat at the car window and gazed fascinated at the scenes which were so new and strange that she forgot the coach with its tired people—forgot even her brother, who sat with his book, bored and indifferent to the flying panorama.
Her soul left the plush-covered seats and suit-cases to follow the wild creatures that moved in the gorges or climbed the wonderful mountain slopes. She did not hear the repeated “I’m going for a smoke, Bess.” Her soul was without, her eyes following a mysterious, half-hidden form.