"What's that?" demanded Gracia, as she heard her own name spoken.
Bud looked at Phil, who for once was at a loss for words, and then he answered slowly.
"Your father is down at the station," he said, "looking for--you!"
"Well, he can't have me!" cried Gracia defiantly. "I'm across the line now! I'm free! I can do what I please!"
"But there's the immigration office," interposed Phil pacifically. "You will have to go there--and your father has claimed you were kidnapped."
"Ha! Kidnapped!" laughed Gracia, who had suddenly recovered her spirits. "And by whom?"
"Well--by Bud here," answered De Lancey hesitatingly.
Gracia turned as he spoke and surveyed Hooker with a mocking smile. Then she laughed again.
"Never mind," she said, "I'll fix that. I'll tell them that I kidnapped _him_!"
"No, but seriously!" protested De Lancey, as Bud chuckled hoarsely. "You can't cross the line without being passed by the inspectors, and--well, your father is there to get you back."
"Oh, my dear girl!" cried De Lancey, frowning in his perplexity, "you don't understand, and you make it awful hard for me. You know they're very strict now--so many low women coming across the line, for--well, the fact is, unless you are married you can't come in at all!"
"But I'm _in_!" protested Gracia, flushing hotly. "I'm--"
"They'll deport you," said De Lancey, stepping forward to give her support.
"I know it's hard, dear," he went on, as Bud moved hastily away, "but I've got it all arranged. Why should we wait? You came to marry me, didn't you? Well, you must do it now--right away! I've got the license and the priest all waiting--come on before the _rurales_ get back to town and report that you've crossed the line. We can ride around to the north and come in at the other side of town. Then we--"
"Oh, no, no!" cried Gracia, pushing him impulsively aside. "I am not ready now. And--"
"Mr. Hooker," she began, walking gently toward him, "what will you do now?"
"You have been so good to me," she went on, "so brave, and--have I been brave, too?" she broke in pleadingly.
Hooker nodded his head, but he did not meet her eyes.
"Ah, yes," she sighed. "You have heard what Phil has said. I wish now that my mother were here, but--would you mind? Before I go I want to--give you a kiss!"