“No,” Bess thought, “I must not even think such a thing of that dear, sweet, sleeping stranger.”
At length Mrs. West came over to Bess, and folding her in her arms stroked the soft tresses as if she were her own daughter, still tiny, still sweet, still living!
“I fear that I have alarmed you, dear, but somehow those things always make me lose control of myself, and I feel like the wild creatures who are ever guarding their young against the onslaughts of danger.”
Bess permitted herself to be held in the protecting embrace for several moments, then suddenly releasing herself, she sprang to the center of the room, and dramatically drawing herself up to her full height, throwing back her head and clenching her hands, she said, with emotion quavering in her voice: “Look—tell me—shall I always be able to protect myself? Look!”
Mrs. West was held entranced for a moment by the beautiful girl. Health glowed in her eye and reddened her lips and cheeks; strength of character was stamped in every feature; the strong will-power showed in the rigid jaw and tense nostrils.
“Yes—I know you will always have the courage, and God will give you strength.”
[CHAPTER XV]
A JOURNEY UP FLATHEAD LAKE
The round-up took longer this spring than usual. There were more calves to be branded, and several days of unpropitious weather delayed the men. It was nearly three weeks since Henry West and his cowboys and the foreman had started to join the others on the range. Eagerly had Bess and Mrs. West watched for their return. News came, when the boys were over on Sullivan Creek, that everything was progressing nicely and that they would soon be through, unless had weather prevented.