ittle later he quietly walked into the room. The
Harvester rested, facing the lake. The dog sniffed at his shoulder, but
the man was rigid. Then the click of nails could be heard on the floor
as Belshazzar went to the opposite side. At his accustomed place he
paused and set one foot on the bed. There was not a sound, so he lifted
the other. Then one at a time he drew up his hind feet and crouched
as he had on the gravel. The man lay watching the bright bridge. The
moonlight entered the window and flooded the room. The strong lines on
the weather-beaten face of the Harvester were mellowed in the light, and
he appeared young and good to see. His lithe figure stretched the length
of the bed, his hair appeared almost white, and his face, touched by the
glorifying light of the moon, was a study.

One instant his countenance was swept with ultimate scorn; then
gradually that would fade and the lines soften, until his lips curved in
child-like appeal and his eyes were filled with pleading. Several
times he lifted a hand and gently touched his lips, as if a kiss were a
material thing and would leave tangible evidence of having been given.
After a long time his eyes closed and he scarcely was unconscious before
Belshazzar's cold nose touched the outstretched hand and the Harvester
lifted and laid it on the dog's head.

"Forgive me, Bel," he muttered. "I never did that. I wouldn't have hurt
you for anything. It happened before I had time to think."

They both fell asleep. The clear-cut lines of manly strength on the face
of the Harvester were touched to tender beauty. He lay smiling softly.
Far in the night he realized the frost-chill and divided the coverlet
with the happy Belshazzar.

The golden dream never came again. There was no need. It had done its
perfect work. The Harvester awoke the next morning a different man. His
face was youthful and alive with alert anticipation. He began his work
with eager impetuosity, whistling and singing the while, and he found
time to play with and talk to Belshazzar, until that glad beast almost
wagged off his tail in delight. They breakfasted together and arranged
the rooms with unusual care.

"You see," explained the Harvester to the dog, "we must walk neatly
after this. Maybe there is such a thing as fate. Possibly your answer
was right. There might be a girl in the world for me. I don't expect it,
but there is a possibility that she may find us before we locate
her. Anyway, we shoul