heart broke because you drifted with the wild cowpunchers--but now--by
God, I believe I'm glad."

"Dad, never mind range talk. You know how cowboys brag and blow....
I'm not ashamed to face you and mother. I've come clean, Dad."

"But, son, you've--you've used that gun!" whispered Smith, hoarsely.

"Sure I have. On some two-legged coyotes an' skunks.... And maybe
greasers. I forget."

"Panhandle Smith!" ejaculated his father, refusing to take the matter
in Pan's light vein. "They know here in Marco.... You're known, Pan,
here west of the Rockies."

"Well, what of it?" flashed Pan, suddenly gripped again by that strange
cold emotion in the depths of him. "I should think you'd be glad.
Reckon it was all good practice for what I'll have to do out here."

"Don't talk that way. You've read my mind," replied Smith, huskily.
"I'm afraid. I'm almost sorry you came. Yet, right now I feel more of
a man than for years."

"Dad, you can tell me everything some other time," rejoined Pan,
throwing off the sinister spell. "Now, I only want to know about
Mother and Alice."

"They're well an' fine, son, though your mother grieves for you. She
never got over that. An' Alice, she's a big girl, goin' to school an'
helpin' with work.... An' Pan, you've got a baby brother nearly two
years old."

"Jumping cowbells!" shouted Pan, in delight. "Where are they? Tell me
quick."

"We live on a farm a mile or so out. I rent it for most nothin'.
Hall, who owns it, has a big ranch. I've got an option on this farm,
an' it shore is a bargain. Hundred an' ten acres, most of it
cultivated. Good water, pasture, barn, an' nice little cabin. I work
here mornin's, an' out there afternoons. You'll--"

"Stop talking about it. I'll buy the farm," interrupted Pan. "But
_where_ is it?"

"Keep right out this road. Second farmhouse," said his father,
pointing to the west. "I'd go with you, but I promised some work. But
I'll be home at noon.... Hey, hold on. There's more to tell. You'll
get a--a jolt. Wait."

But Pan rushed on out of the shop, and took to the road with the stride
of a giant. To be compelled to walk, when if he had had his horse he
could ride that mile in two minutes! His heart was beating high.
Mother! Grieving for me. Alice a big girl. And a baby boy! This is
too good for a prodigal like me.

All else he had forgotten for the moment. Shadows of memories overhung
his consciousness, striving for