self, save for the plaster-strips that had
supplanted the bandages. Everywhere at once he put the grip of two men
into his well arm, smiling upon all like the very genius of happiness.

And Dallas--Mrs. Oliver had offered to sew her a plain white dress for
the occasion. But she had chosen--since her John must of necessity come
in his wonted attire--to appear in the simple frock she had worn the
night they met in the swale. Above it, her hair was braided and coiled
upon her head like a crown. Her cheeks were a glowing red. Her eyes
shone.

All was bedlam: Tongues clattered; cups rattled; laughter rose and fell;
the seven, having no chairs, sat in a line under the leadership of
Felicia and kicked their heels on the floor.

Then--interrupting--a knock, loud, peremptory.

The company stilled. Jamieson opened.

There stood a jolly figure--the sutler's--apple-round head and all.

"Well, Blakely?" asked the captain.

Blakely hung his weight on a foot and, coughing behind his plump hand,
bobbed his answer: "Steam's up, sir."

Lounsbury had the centre of the floor. He kept it, reaching out to bring
Dallas beside him. They stood while the others crowded up to give them
well wishes and to tell them good-night.

Last of all came David Bond. "My daughter, my son," he said, "God bless
you!"

Lounsbury slipped Dallas' hand into his arm. Then the door opened for
them, and they went out--together.

* * * * *

"John is a good man," said the evangelist, "and will make a good
husband," He was seated with Fraser on the gallery, watching a light in
midstream dance its way through the dark.

Fraser sighed happily. "She's a dear girl," he murmured, looking back to
where the lamp was moving about in Oliver's spare room. "She'd make a
wife for a prince."

Presently he roused himself with another sigh. "You ought to see the way
we fixed up the shack," he said. "White kick-up curtains on the
windows--that was Mrs. Oliver's idea; rose-berries all over the
mantel--Marylyn did that; I stuffed the fireplace full of sumach; then,
Michael sprinkled and swept out, and we covered the floor with Navajo
blankets."

"Little place looked cosey."

"Cosey as could be."

A little while, and Fraser sprang up. "They're there!" he cried. "See?
see? They're home!"

Far away on the bend, the eyes of the shack were bright.

"And you, Mr. Fraser?" asked the evangelist.

"Marylyn and I will wait for the Colonel.