Twice she rose and limped to the water-hole for a drink, and it
was not until nearly dawn that she dropped off into complete
unconsciousness. She was awakened by a sunbeam which pierced her
leafy shelter and with hot touch explored her upturned face.
It was still early; the sun had just cleared the valley's rim and
the ground was damp with dew. Somewhere near by an unfamiliar bird
was sweetly trilling. Alaire listened dreamily until the bird-
carol changed to the air of a familiar cowboy song, then she sat
up, queerly startled.
David Law was watering his horse, grooming the animal meanwhile
with a burlap doth. Such attention was unusual in a stock country
where horses run wild, but this horse, Mrs. Austin saw, justified
unusual care. It was a beautiful blood-bay mare, and as the woman
looked it lifted its head, then with wet, trembling muzzle
caressed its owner's cheek. Undoubtedly this attention was meant
for a kiss, and was as daintily conferred as any woman's favor. It
brought a reward in a lump of sugar. There followed an exhibition
of equine delight; the mare's lips twitched, her nose wrinkled
ludicrously, she stretched her neck and tossed her head as the
sweetness tickled her palate.
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