remaining teams, proceeded in the
direction of The Pines. Trix, on finding herself headed for home,
quickened her steps to such a brisk pace that on reaching the long
driveway Darrell was considerably in advance of the others. He had no
sooner emerged from the pines into the open, in full view of the house,
than Duke came bounding down the driveway to meet him, with every
possible demonstration of joyous welcome. His loud barking brought the
ladies to the door just as Darrell, having quickly dismounted and sent
Trix to the stables, was running up the broad stairs to the veranda, the
collie close at his side.

"Just look at Duke!" Kate Underwood exclaimed, shaking hands with
Darrell; "and this is only the second time he has met you! You surely
have won his heart, Mr. Darrell."

"You are the only person outside of Katherine he has ever condescended
to notice," said Mrs. Dean, with a smile.

"I assure you I feel immensely flattered by his friendship," Darrell
replied, caressing the collie; "the more so because I know it to be
genuine."

"He won't so much as look at me," Mrs. Dean added.

"That is because you objected at first to having him here," said Kate;
"he knows it, and he'll not forget it. But, Mr. Darrell, where is papa?"

"He will be here directly," Darrell answered, smiling as he suddenly
recalled the little note within his pocket; "he is returning from the
war-path with the trophies of victory."

Kate laughed and colored slightly. "Your own scalp has not suffered, at
any rate," she said.

"But he has brought me back a captive; here he comes now!"

The wagon loaded with Darrell's belongings was just coming slowly into
view, with Mr. Underwood on the seat beside the driver, the other teams
having been sent to the stables by another route.

Darrell noted the surprise depicted on the faces beside him, and,
turning to Mrs. Dean, who stood next him, he said, in a low tone,--

"I have come back to the old home, mother, for a little while; is there
room for me?"

Mrs. Dean looked at him steadily for an instant, while Kate ran to meet
her father; then she replied, earnestly,--

"There will always be room in the old home for you. I only wish that I
could hope it would always hold you."

_Chapter XIV_

DRIFTING

Early the following week Darrell was established in his new office. The
building containing the offices of the firm of Underwood & Walcott had,
as Mr. Underwood informed Darrell, been fo