-one of the others--best."

"My--WIFE."

"That--that makes me happiest, Roger. Your WIFE. Oh, it is the sweetest
word in the world, that--and--"

He felt her warm face hide itself softly against his neck.

"Mother," he added.

"Yes--Mother," she repeated after him in an awed little voice. "Oh, I
have dreamed of Mothers since I have been old enough to dream, Roger! My
Mother--I never had one that I can remember, except in a dream. It must
be wonderful to--to--have a Mother, Roger."

"And yet, I think, not quite so wonderful as to BE a Mother, my Nada."

"Listen!" she whispered.

"It is the Leaf Bud singing."

"A love song?"

"Yes, in Cree."

She raised her head, so that her eyes were wide open, and looking at
him.

"Since we came up here all this wonderful world has been promising
song for me, Roger. And since you came back to me it has been
singing--singing--singing--every hour of night and day. Have you ever
dreamed of leaving it, Roger--of going down into that world of towns and
cities of which Father John has told me so much?"

"Would you like to go there, Nada?"

"Only to look upon it, and come away. I want to live in the forests,
where I found you. Always and always, Roger."

She raised herself on tip-toe, and kissed him.

"I want to live near Yellow Bird and Sun Cloud--please--Mister Jolly
Roger--I do. And Father John will go with us. And we'll be so happy
there all together, Yellow Bird and Sun Cloud and Giselle and I--oh!"

His arms had tightened so suddenly that the little cry came from her.

"And yet--I may have to leave you for a little time, Nada. But it
will not be for long. What are five years, when all life reaches out a
paradise before us? They are nothing--nothing--and will pass swiftly--"

"Yes, they will pass swiftly," she said, so gently that scarce did he
hear.

But on his breast she gave a little sob which would not choke itself
back, a sob which bravely she smiled through a moment later, and which
he--knowing that it was best--made as if he had not heard.

And so, this night, while Father John and Peter waited and watched in
the cabin, did they plan their future in the company of the stars.

CHAPTER XX

The Sabbath was a day of glory and peace in the Burntwood country. The
sun rose warm and golden, the birds were singing, and never had the air
seemed sweeter to Father John when he came out quietly from the cabin
and breathed it in the early break of dawn. Best o