to hit us out a tune," announced Sage-brush.

Echo seated herself at the piano. Jack leaned against the instrument,
gazing fondly into her eyes, as she raised her face radiant with
happiness. Allen had taken possession of the best rocking-chair. Mrs.
Allen sat at the table, and the boys ranged themselves about the room.
Their faces reflected gratification. They watched Echo expectantly.

Echo played the opening bars of "The Old Folks at Home." Before she
sang Fresno, holding up his right index-finger, remarked to no one in
particular: "I washed that finger."

The singing deeply affected her little audience. Echo had a sweet,
natural voice. She threw her whole soul into the old ballad. She was
so happy she felt like singing, not lively airs, but songs about home.
Her new home had become so dear to her at that moment.

Mrs. Allen as usual began to cry. Polly soon followed her example.
There were tears even in the of some of the punchers, although they
blinked vigorously to keep them back.

When she repeated the chorus, Sage-brush said to Fresno: "Ain't that
great?"

That worthy, however, with the jealousy of an artist, and to hide his
own deeply moved sensibilities, replied: "That ain't so much."

Jack had become completely absorbed in the music. He and Echo were
oblivious to surroundings. His arm had slipped about his wife's waist,
and she gazed fondly into his face. Sage-brush was the first to notice
their attitude. On his calling the attention of the boys to their
happiness, these quietly tiptoed from the room. Polly signaled to Mrs.
Allen, and followed the boys. Josephine awoke Jim as if from a dream
and led him slowly out, leaving the young couple in an earthly paradise
of married love.

When Echo finished, she turned in surprise to find themselves alone.

"Was it as bad as that?" she naively asked Jack.

"What?"

"Why, they've all left us."

Jack laughed softly. "So they have--I forgot they were here," he said,
looking fondly down at his wife.

Echo began to play quietly another ballad. "I've always wanted a
piano," she said.

"You'd found one here waiting, if I'd only known it," he chided.

"You've given me so much already," she murmured. "I've been a big
expense to you."

Jack again slipped his arm about her waist and kissed her. "There ain't
any limit on my love," he declared. "I want you to be happy--"

"Don't you think I am," laughed Echo. "I'm the happiest woman on
ear