twice his size; and Vivian, heartily ashamed of
herself and seeking redemption in her own eyes, accepted the Biering cow
boy without a show of an introduction, and danced with him three times
during the evening, not to mention her hearty acceptance of Dick and Alec
and Joe.

It was late when Mr. Benjamin Jarvis' barn-warming broke up, and later
when the guests rode and drove away down the canyon. In Mr. Crusoe's rig,
save from one occupant, conversation and laughter never ceased until they
turned down the avenue of cottonwoods. The Cinnamon Creek forest ranger
came in for his share of the observations from all but Vivian--his general
superiority over the other rangers, his good English, the interesting line
between his eyes, and his air of having seen the world. Miss Bumps was
admired and complimented. The stature of the biggest Biering cow boy
brought forth exclamations. The capacity of Mr. Benjamin Jarvis as a host
received loud praise. In short, no one was omitted, even to the youngest
Wilson baby, who had looked so adorable as he lay asleep in the bin.

It had been a memorable evening, Aunt Nan said, as they gathered around
the big fire which Hannah had kept for them, for a last half hour before
bed-time. She thought they all needed just such an occasion, so that they
might carry back home with them a knowledge of real Wyoming hospitality
which knew no strangers. Of course, they had seen it all summer long, she
added, smiling at Virginia, but the courtesy of Mr. Benjamin Jarvis had
made them one with all Elk Creek Valley and Bear Canyon.

"I've been thinking all the evening of the little poem we learned last
Christmas, Virginia," she said. "You know, the one about the fire. I guess
the big bon-fires at Mr. Jarvis' made me think of it, and now this one at
home brings it back again. You remember it, don't you?"

Virginia did remember. She repeated it softly while they watched the
flames and listened. Vivian, in her corner, was glad no one could see the
red which crept into her cheeks.

"'I watched a log in the fire-place burning,
Wrapped in flame like a winding sheet,
Giving again with splendid largess
The sun's long gift of treasured heat--

"'Giving again in the fire's low music
The sound of wind on an autumn night,
And the gold of many a summer sunrise
Garnered and given out in light.