gone and with it something
dreadful.

"Pan, shore you're a tough lookin' cowboy this mawnin'," said Blinky.
"Wash an' shave yourself like I did. Heah's my razor. There's a basin
an' water up under the kitchen porch."

"Howdy, bridegroom," returned Pan with appreciative eyes on Blinky's
shiny face and slick hair. "How's your wife?"

"Daid to the world," whispered Blinky, blushing red as a rose. "I took
a peep. Gee! Pard, I hope she sleeps all day an' all night. Shore
I'm scared fer her to wake."

"I don't blame you, cowboy. It'll be funny when she finds out she's
got a boss."

"Pard, if we was away from this heah town I'd be happy, I swear.
Wouldn't you?" returned Blinky shyly.

"Why, Blink, I believe I would," said Pan, and strode off toward the
house.

He made himself presentable before anyone saw him. Then he waited for
his father and Blinky, whom he heard talking. When they came up he
joined them. Wild horses could not have dragged him into the house
alone. As they entered the kitchen Bobby let out a yell and made for
him. That loosened a strain for Pan and he picked up the lad. When he
faced his mother it was with composure that belied the state of his
feelings. She appeared to be in a blaze of excitement, and at once he
realized that all she had needed was his return, safe and sound. Then
he heard Alice's voice and Lucy's in reply. As he set Bobby down,
thrilling all over, the girls entered the kitchen. Alice's reply to
his greeting was at once bright and shy. Lucy halted in the doorway,
with a hand on her breast. Her smile, slow and wistful, seemed to blot
out traces of havoc in her face. But her eyes were dark purple, a sign
of strong emotion. Pan's slight inclination, unaccompanied by word of
greeting, was as black a pretense as he had ever been guilty of. Sight
of her had shot him through and through with pangs of bitter mocking
joy. But he gave no sign. During the meal he did not look at her
again.

"Dad, have you got everything we'll need?" queried Pan presently.

"I guess so," replied Smith. "You can start loadin' the wagons. An'
by the time two of them are done we'll have everythin' packed."

"Blink can drive one wagon, you another, and I'll take the third till
we get out to Snyder's. Then we'll need another driver, for it'll take
two of us to handle the wild horses."

"No, we won't," replied his father. "Your mother an' Lucy can drive as
well as I. Son, I reckon