But he suffered. All the home he
had was an old, thrown-away sheep wagon down beyond the last ridge
toward the valley. I've seen him every two weeks for ten years. It's a
wonder he has not been killed before."

"I wonder," said Mrs. O'Shaughnessy, "if he has any family. Where will
they bury him?"

"He has no people. If they will listen to Dad, they will lay him here
on the desert. He would want it so."

After breakfast Mrs. O'Shaughnessy lay down for a little rest. When
the wounded man awoke the girl gave him a little coffee.

"You're awful good to me," he said. "I'd like to have you around all
the time."

The girl smiled gravely. "Ain't you got nobody to take care of you?"

"No. What is your name?"

"Amy Winters. Now you must hush. Talkin' might make you worse."

"I'm not so tur'ble bad off. Where do you live?"

"In the coaster, somewhere on the road between Pinedale and Rock
Springs. Dad is a freighter."

"Huh! Do you like to live that way?"

"No; I want a house and a garden awful bad, but Dad can't do nothin'
but freight and we've got Jessie to raise. We ain't got no ma."

"Do women _have_ to change their names when they marry?"

"I don't know. Reckon they do, though. Why?"

"'Cause my name is Tod Winters. I know where there is a dandy little
place up on the Gros Ventre where a cabin would look mighty good to me
if there was some one to keep it for me--"

"Oh, say," she interrupted, "that is a awful pretty handkerchief
you've got around your neck."

Just then the automobile came up frightening our horses. I heard no
more, but the "awful pretty handkerchief" was missing when the hero
left for the hospital. They used some lumber from a load the freighter
had and walled up a grave for Olaf. They had no tools but axes and a
shovel we had along. By noon Olaf was buried. Glenholdt set a slab of
sandstone at the head. With his knife he had dug out these
words--"Olaf. The friend of horses."

We camped last night at Ten Trees. To-night we are at Eden Valley. The
mystery of Mrs. O'Shaughnessy's sudden change about the license is
explained. She unloaded an elk at the Sanders cabin. "'Twas two I
aimed to bring you, but me own family has increased by twins whilst
I've been gone, so one ilk will have to do you."

So now, dear friend, I am a little nearer you. In one more week I
shall be home.

Sincerely, _thankfully_ yours,
E. R. S.