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 "No. She did not tell me that; I supposed you kept them."

He looked at her squarely.

"Nothing has ever shaken my faith in you, Cherokee, until now, and this I must and will understand. Take your choice between force and persuasion."

A deep wave of self-conscious color rushed over her face; suddenly she grew very pale, and her whole attitude toward him stiffened.

She laid the little white gloves in his hands, saying:

"I did not care to worry or accuse you."

He shrank back, and they eyed each other fixedly.

"I call this a mean, contemptible trick," he said, bitterly, "and now what are you going to do about it?"

"I have done all I intend to do," she said, calmly.

"And pray what's that?"

"Mended a rent in the fore-finger."

Robert felt abashed at this, though there were still some ugly lines between his brows.

"Let's kiss and make up," he said, and as she wound her arms about him, his whole manner changed, softened into melting.

"I did not read the note in the glove, if you believe me."