rise, and they were once more alone in the empty prairie, with their faces
towards Canada.

"I am 'most ashamed to look at you, but you will forgive me, little girl,"
he said. "There are brighter days before us than your wedding one, and by
and by I hope you will not be sorry you have borne so much for me."

Hetty's lips quivered a little, but the pride of the cattle-barons shone
in her eyes. "I have nothing to forgive and am only very tired," she said.
"I shall never be sorry while you are kind to me, and I would have ridden
to Canada if I had known that it would have killed me. The one thing I am
afraid of is that you and he should meet."

They rode on, speaking but seldom as the leagues went by, for Grant had
much to think of and Hetty was very weary. Indeed, she swayed unevenly in
her saddle, while the long, billowy levels shining in the sunlight rolled
back, as it were, interminably to them, and now and then only saved
herself from a fall by a clutch at the bridle. There were times when a
drowsiness that would scarcely be shaken off crept upon her, and she
roused herself with a strenuous effort and a horrible fear at her heart,
knowing that if her strength failed her the blood of husband or father
might be upon her head.

The sky was blue above them, the white sod warm below, and already
chequered here and there with green; and, advancing in long battalion,
crane and goose and mallard came up from the south to follow the sun
towards the Pole. The iron winter had fled before it, and all nature
smiled; but Hetty, who had often swept the prairie at a wild gallop, with
her blood responding to the thrill of reawakening life that was in
everything, rode with a set white face and drooping head, and Larry
groaned as he glanced at her.

Late in the afternoon they dismounted, and Hetty lay with her head upon
his shoulder while they rested amidst the grass. The provisions the
storekeeper had given them were scattered about, but Hetty had tasted
nothing, and Grant had only forced himself to swallow a few mouthfuls with
difficulty. He had thrown an arm about her, and she lay with eyes closed,
motionless.

Suddenly he raised his head and looked about him. Save for the sighing of
the warm wind, the prairie was very still, and a low, white rise cut off
from sight the leagues they had left behind, but, though a man from the
cities would have heard nothing at all, Larry, straining his ears to
listen, heard a sound just audible