z appeared to know the ground perfectly. He drove without hesitation
to a log house in which a faint thread of light was observable, and
as he approached it he gave a long, peculiar whistle. The door was
instantly thrown open, and, as the wagon stopped, two men stepped
eagerly to it. In another instant the Senora was weeping in her
husband's arms, and Isabel laughing and crying and murmuring her sweet
surprises into the ear of the delighted Luis. When their wraps had been
removed from the wagon, Ortiz drove away, leaving Navarro and Antonia
standing by the little pile of ladies' luggage.

"I will take charge of all, Senorita. Alas! How weary you are!"

"It is nothing, Senor. Let me thank you for your great kindness."

"Senorita, to be of service to you is my good fortune. If it were
necessary, my life for your life, and I would die happy."

She had given him her hand with her little speech of thanks, and he
raised it to his lips. It was an act of homage that he might have
offered to a saint, but in it Lopez unconsciously revealed to Antonia
the secret love in his heart. For he stood in the glow of light from
the open door, and his handsome face showed, as in a glass darkly, the
tenderness and hopelessness of his great affection. She was touched by
the discovery, and though she had a nature faithful as sunrising she
could not help a feeling of kindly interest in a lover so reticent, so
watchful, so forgetful of himself.

The log cabin in which they found shelter was at least a resting-place.
A fire of cedar logs burned upon the hearth, and there was a bed in the
room, and a few rude chairs covered with raw hide. But the Senora had
a happy smile on her weary face. She ignored the poverty of her
surroundings. She had her Roberto, and, for this hour at least, had
forgiven fate.

Presently the coffee-pot was boiling, and Doctor Worth and Luis brought
out their small store of corn-bread and their tin camp-cups, and the
weary women ate and drank, and comforted themselves in the love and
protection at their side. Doctor Worth sat by his wife, and gave Antonia
his hand. Isabel leaned her pretty head against Luis, and listened with
happy smiles to his low words:

"Charming little one, your lips are two crimson curtains. Between
curtain and curtain my kiss is waiting. Give it to me."

"Eyes of my soul, to-night the world begins again for me."

"At this blessed hour of God, I am the happiest man he has made."

"As for