was beside myself," she whispered. "Forgive me.... Oh, the
joy of seeing you. It was too much.... Go to your mother.
She--will--"

"Yes, presently, but Lucy, don't feel badly about this--about my not
recognizing you at once," he interrupted, in glad swift eagerness.
"How you have grown! Changed! ... Lucy, your hair is gold now. My
little white-headed kid! Oh, I remember. I never forgot you that way.
But you're so changed--so--so--Lucy, you're beautiful.... I've come
back to you. I always loved you. I didn't know it as I do now, but
I've been true to you. Lucy, I swear.... I'm Panhandle Smith and as
wild as any of that prairie outfit. But, darling, I've been _true_ to
you--_true_.... And I've come back to love you, to make up for
absence, to take care of you--marry you. Oh, darling, I know you've
been true to me--you've waited for me."

Rapture and agony both seemed to be struggling for the mastery over
Lucy. Pan suddenly divined that this was the meaning of her emotion.

"My God!" she whispered, finally, warding him off. "Don't you
know--haven't you heard?"

"Nothing. Dad didn't mention you," replied Pan hoarsely, fighting an
icy sickening fear. "What's wrong?"

"Go to your mother. Don't let her wait. I'll see you later."

"But Lucy-"

"Go. Give me a little while to--to get hold of myself."

"Are--are you married?" he faltered.

"No-no--but--"

"Don't you love me?"

She made no reply, except to cover her face with shaking hands. They
could not hide the betraying scarlet.

"Lucy, you _must_ love me," he rushed on, almost incoherently. "You
gave yourself away.... It lifted me--changed me. All my life I've
loved you, though I never realized it.... Your kisses--they made me
know myself.... But, my God, say that you love me!"

"Yes, Pan, I do love you," she replied, quietly, lifting her eyes to
his. Again the rich color fled.

"Then, nothing else matters," cried Pan. "Whatever's wrong, I'll make
right. Don't forget that. I've much to make up for.... Forgive me
for this--this--whatever has hurt you so. I'll go now to Mother and
see you later. You'll stay?"

"I live here with your people," replied Lucy and walked away through
the trees.

"Something wrong!" muttered Pan, as he watched her go. But the black
fear of he knew not what could not stand before his consciousness of
finding Lucy, of seeing her betray her love. Doubt lingered, but his
glad heart downed that too