u see it,
which Ernest never had. And he's been my only friend. Perhaps you're
right, perhaps part of the fault has been with myself. O Lord, Charley!
I do need some one to tell me the truth, I certainly do."

Charley put out her hand to lay it on Roger's shoulder.

"Poor child!" she said, softly.

In a moment, Roger was a little boy again, back at his mother's side. "O
God!" he whispered, and throwing himself forward on his knees, buried
his head in Charley's lap. She laid her hand on his head with the touch
that had been his mother's. "Poor lonely child," she said again. And for
the first time in nearly ten years, Roger burst into tears.

Charley, smoothing his heavy black hair, said nothing more until Roger
sheepishly raised his head and pulled out a very dirty handkerchief.

Then she said in a very matter-of-fact voice, "By the way, as soon as
the storm let up a little, I had Ernest take Gustav up to the ranch. I
can take care of him up there and I didn't want Dick to be alone any
longer."

"Where's Felicia?" asked Roger.

"She's asleep in the tent, I must wake her up and take her home now. The
storm is over."

"Leave her with me a little while," said Roger. "I'll bring her home."

"All right, come up for supper. Ernest and Dick will help me get it."

Roger nodded and Charley started along the drifted trail to the ranch
while Roger went to the tent. Felicia slept on while he shaved and put
the tent in order. Then he stooped over the cot and raised her.

"Suppertime, little sweetheart," he said.

Felicia woke with a start. "Don't be cross, Roger," she exclaimed after
blinking at him for an instant.

"I couldn't be cross with you, Felicia," Roger lifted her in his arms
and held her against his heart.

"Never, Roger?"

"Never, Felicia. You must never be afraid of me, even when I scold other
people. Because I love you very much, Felicia."

The child threw her arms around Roger's neck and they both looked off to
the ranch house, where the windows glowed red in the sunset. There was
something infinitely soothing to Roger in Felicia's embrace and he held
her until she wriggled impatiently and announced that she was hungry.

"We'll head for supper," he said, and putting her down he took her hand
and they started through the sand for the ranch and Charley. Gustav was
waiting for them at the edge of the corral.

"Felicia, you run on up to the house and tell Charley I'll be there in a
minute," said Roger.