"I reckon not. He wouldn't if he could. But some day he will, an' take
you home with him."

Columbine covered her face with her hands, and was silent a moment.

"Such prophecies! They--they--" She could not conclude.

"Ahuh! I know. The strange fact is, lass, that they all come true. I
wish I had all happy ones, instead of them black, croakin' ones that
come like ravens.... Well, you're better to-day?"

"Yes. Oh yes. Ben, what have you got for me?"

"You're in an awful hurry. I want to talk to you, an' if I show what
I've got then there will be no talkin'. You say Jack hasn't been
in to-day?"

"Not yet, thank goodness."

"How about Old Bill?"

"Ben, you never call him my dad. I wish you would. When you _don't_ it
always reminds me that he's really _not_ my dad."

"Ahuh! Well, well!" replied Wade, with his head bowed. "It is just queer
I can never remember.... An' how was he to-day?"

"For a wonder he didn't mention poor me. He was full of talk about going
to Kremmling. Means to take Jack along. Do you know, Ben, dad can't fool
me. He's afraid to leave Jack here alone with me. So dad talked a lot
about selling stock an' buying supplies, and how he needed Jack to go,
and so forth. I'm mighty glad he means to take him. But my! won't
Jack be sore."

"I reckon. It's time he broke out."

"And now, dear Ben--what have you got for me? I know it's from Wilson,"
she coaxed.

"Lass, would you give much for a little note from Wils?" asked Wade,
teasingly.

"Would I? When I've been hoping and praying for just that!"

"Well, if you'd give so much for a note, how much would you give me for
a whole bookful that took Wils two hours to write?"

"Ben! Oh, I'd--I'd give--" she cried, wild with delight. "I'd _kiss_
you!"

"You mean it?" he queried, waving the book aloft.

"Mean it? Come here!"

There was fun in this for Wade, but also a deep and beautiful emotion
that quivered through him. Bending over her, he placed the little book
in her hand. He did not see clearly, then, as she pulled him lower and
kissed him on the cheek, generously, with sweet, frank gratitude and
affection.

Moments strong and all-satisfying had been multiplying for Bent Wade of
late. But this one magnified all. As he sat back upon the chair he
seemed a little husky of voice.

"Well, well, an' so you kissed ugly old Bent Wade?"

"Yes, and I've wanted to do it before," she retorted. The dark
excitation in her eyes, the flush of her pale