e and stricken consciousness left
him in the lightning-flash of divination that was recognition as well. A
shuddering cataclysm enveloped him, a passion so stupendous that it
almost brought oblivion.

The three hounds leaped up with barks and wagging tails. They welcomed
this visitor. Kane lost still more of his canine aloofness.

Wade's breast heaved. The blue sky, the gray hills, the green willows,
all blurred in his sight, that seemed to hold clear only the face
floating closer.

"I'm Columbine Belllounds," said a voice.

It stilled the storm in Wade. It was real. It was a voice of twenty
years ago. The burden on his breast lifted. Then flashed the spirit, the
old self-control of a man whose life had held many terrible moments.

"Mornin', miss. I'm glad to meet you," he replied, and there was no
break, no tone unnatural in his greeting.

So they gazed at each other, she with that instinctive look peculiar to
women in its intuitive powers, but common to all persons who had lived
far from crowds and to whom a new-comer was an event. Wade's gaze,
intense and all-embracing, found that face now closer in resemblance to
the imagined Lucy's--a pretty face, rather than beautiful, but strong
and sweet--its striking qualities being a colorless fairness of skin
that yet held a rose and golden tint, and the eyes of a rare and
exquisite shade of blue.

"Oh! Are you feeling ill?" she asked. "You look so--so pale."

"No. I'm only tuckered out," replied Wade, easily, as he wiped the
clammy drops from his brow. "It was a long ride to get here."

"I'm the lady of the house," she said, with a smile. "I'm glad to
welcome you to White Slides, and hope you'll like it."

"Well, Miss Columbine, I reckon I will," he replied, returning the
smile. "Now if I was younger I'd like it powerful much."

She laughed at that. "Men are all alike, young or old."

"Don't ever think so," said Wade, earnestly.

"No? I guess you're right about that. I've fetched you up some things
for your cabin. May I peep in?"

"Come in," replied Wade, rising. "You must excuse my manners. It's long
indeed since I had a lady caller."

She went in, and Wade, standing on the threshold, saw her survey the
room with a woman's sweeping glance.

"I told dad to put some--"

"Miss, your dad told me to go get them, an' I've not done it yet. But I
will presently."

"Very well. I'll leave these things and come back later," she replied,
depositing a bundle upon