dog belonging to one of the
teamsters on the grading gang thrust a cold muzzle into his hand.

"Purp," murmured Mr. Conway, softly, "this isn't a half-bad old world,
even if a fellow does grow old, and finds himself hairless and
childless and half broke and shackled to the worst automobile in the
world, bar none. And do you know why it isn't such a rotten world as
some folks claim? No? Well, I'll tell you, purp. It's because it
keeps a-movin'. And do you know what keeps it a-movin'? Purp, it's
love!"

XXI

At the base of El Palomar, Farrel and his party were met by the Parker
chauffeur with the car. Pablo had guided him out and was lounging
importantly in the seat beside William.

"Don Nicolas Sandoval came to the hacienda an hour ago, Don Miguel," he
reported. "He brought with him three others; all have gone forth to
take possession of Loustalot's sheep."

Farrel nodded and dismounted to assist Mrs. Parker as the latter came
down from her horse, somewhat stiffly. When he turned to perform a
similar office for her daughter, however, the girl smilingly shook her
head.

"I shipped for the cruise, Don Mike," she assured him. "May I ride
home with you? Remember, you've got to pick up your rope and that
panther's pelt." Her adorable face flushed faintly as her gaze sought
her mother's. "I have never seen a panther undressed," she protested.

"Well," her amiable mother replied, with her customary hearty manner,
"far be it from me to deprive you of that interesting sight. Take good
care of her, Miguel. I hold you responsible for her."

"You are very kind to trust me so."

Both Parker and his wife noted that his words were not mere polite
patter. Farrel's gravely courteous bearing, his respectful bow to Mrs.
Parker and the solemnity with which he spoke impressed them with the
conviction that this curious human study in light and shadow regarded
their approval as an honor, not a privilege.

"I shall take very good care of Miss Kay," he supplemented. "We shall
be home for dinner."

He mounted the gray gelding, leaving Pablo to follow with the black
mare and the pinto, while he and Kay cantered down the wide white wash
of the Rio San Gregorio.

From their semi-concealment among the young willow growth, scrub cattle
gazed at them or fled, with tails aloft, for more distant thickets;
cottontail rabbits and an occasional jack-rabbit, venturing forth as
the shadows grew long in the valley, flashe