sadness in the thought that he never again could see
his loyal friends or the old walks and lanes.

Jack aroused him and they walked briskly back toward the little church
which they found already quite filled with young people. The choir,
including Mary, smiled at the audience and at each other, for the spirit
of the little church was humanly cheerful.

The strangers found seats in a corner pew together with a pale young man
and a very pretty little girl. Jack was not imaginative, but he could
not help thinking of the commotion which would follow if those around
him should learn that "Black Mose" was at that moment seated among them.
Mary, seeing the dark, stern face of the plainsman, had some such
thought also. There was something gloriously unfettered, compelling, and
powerful in his presence. He made the other young men appear commonplace
and feeble in her eyes, and threw the minister into pale relief,
emphasizing his serenity, his scholarship, and his security of position.

Harold gave close attention to the young minister, who, as Mary's lover,
became important. As a man of action he put a low valuation on a mere
scholar, but King was by no means contemptible physically. Jack also
perceived the charm of such a man to Mary, and acknowledged the good
sense of her choice. King could give her a pleasant home among people
she liked, while Harold could only ask her to go to the wild country, to
a log ranch in a cottonwood gulch, there to live month after month
without seeing a woman or a child.

A bitter and desperate melancholy fell upon the plainsman. What was the
use? Such a woman was not for him. He had only the pleasure of the wild
country. He would go back to his horses, his guns, and the hills, and
never again come under the disturbing influence of this beautiful
singer. She was not of his world; her smiles were not for him. When the
others arose in song he remained seated, his sullen face set toward the
floor, denying himself the pleasure of even seeing Mary's face as she
sang.

Her voice arose above the chorus, guiding, directing, uplifting the less
confident ones. When she sang she was certain of herself, powerful,
self-contained. That night she sang with such power and sweetness that
the minister turned and smiled upon her at the end. He spoke over the
low railing which separated them: "You surpass yourself to-night."

Looking across the heads of the audience as they began to take seats
Harold saw this