nd made for him under the trees, close to the running
water. I was only a girl--a kiddie--when I went away. I think I am a
great deal older now, perhaps, than other girls of my age. And I realize
all you have done for me. The only thing is, I don't know how to begin
to thank you."

She went to Mormon and took hold of both his hands, her head raised,
lips curved to kiss him. Mormon stooped and turned his weathered cheek,
but Molly kissed him full on the lips. So with Sam, despite the enormous
mustache. Then she came to Sandy, taller than the others, his face
grave, under control, the eagerness smothered in his eyes, desire
checked by reverence for the pure affection of the offered salute. He
fancied that her lips trembled for a moment as they rested softly warm,
upon his own. But the tremor might have been his own. He knew his heart
was pounding against the slight touch of her slenderness that was
manifest with womanhood. His arms ached with the restraint he set upon
them, despite the presence of Mormon and Sam.

Grit surveyed the gift of thanks gravely, as a ceremony, as some ancient
lineaged noble might have looked upon the bestowal of sacrament and
accolade for honorably deserved knighthood. Perhaps it was that and the
dog knew it. To Sandy, the little space about the grave, where the great
cottonwoods waved overhead like banners, their trunks like pillars, the
dappled carpet of the turf, with the sweet air blowing through the
clearing and peeps of blue above through the boughs, was like a
sanctuary. That the two others, men of rough life and free habit, yet of
clean thought and decent custom, were touched with the same sensation,
their eyes attested.

"I've brought some things for you," said Molly. "Just presents that I
bought in shops. But I wanted to thank you out here where Daddy lies."
She sought their glances, searching to see if they understood,
satisfied.

"We're sure glad to git back the Mascot of the Three Star," said Mormon.

"An' the sooner you git through bein' eddicated an' come back fo' keeps,
the better," amended Sam.

Sandy said nothing but smiled at her and Molly smiled back again.

"I think you have been my mascot rather than me yours," she demurred.

"Shucks!" said Mormon. "Yore mine, warn't it? He found it," he added,
setting a brown big hand on the headstone. "You wait till you see what
we bought with our share of the Molly Mine. Prime stock an' machinery.
Look at the new corrals an' bui