s home.

"Thet's all right, son. But you've been off the range fer three years.
You'll need advice. Now listen. Be gentle with hosses. You used to be
mean with a hoss. Some cowboys jam their hosses around an' make 'em
pitch an' bite. But it ain't the best way. A hoss has got sense. I've
some fine stock, an' don't want it spoiled. An' be easy an' quiet with
the boys. It's hard to get help these days. I'm short on hands now....
You'd do best, son, to stick to your dad's ways with hosses an' men."

"Dad, I've seen you kick horses an' shoot at men" replied Jack.

"Right, you have. But them was particular bad cases. I'm not advisin'
thet way.... Son, it's close to my heart--this hope I have
thet you'll--"

The full voice quavered and broke. It would indeed have been a hardened
youth who could not have felt something of the deep and unutterable
affection in the old man. Jack Belllounds put an arm around his
father's shoulder.

"Dad, I'll make you proud of me yet. Give me a chance. And don't be sore
if I can't do wonders right at first."

"Son, you shall have every chance. An' thet reminds me. Do you remember
Columbine?"

"I should say so," replied Jack, eagerly. "They spoke of her in
Kremmling. Where is she?"

"I reckon somewheres about. Jack, you an' Columbine are to marry."

"Marry! Columbine and me?" he ejaculated.

"Yes. You're my son an' she's my adopted daughter. I won't split my
property. An' it's right she had a share. A fine, strong, quiet, pretty
lass, Jack, an' she'll make a good wife. I've set my heart on the idee."

"But Columbine always hated me."

"Wal, she was a kid then an' you teased her. Now she's a woman, an'
willin' to please me. Jack, you'll not buck ag'in' this deal?"

"That depends," replied Jack. "I'd marry `most any girl you wanted me
to. But if Columbine were to flout me as she used to--why, I'd buck sure
enough.... Dad, are you sure she knows nothing, suspects nothing of
where you--you sent me?"

"Son, I swear she doesn't."

"Do you mean you'd want us to marry soon?"

"Wal, yes, as soon as Collie would think reasonable. Jack, she's shy an'
strange, an' deep, too. If you ever win her heart you'll be richer than
if you owned all the gold in the Rockies. I'd say go slow. But
contrariwise, it'd mebbe be surer to steady you, keep you home, if you
married right off."

"Married right off!" echoed Jack, with a laugh. "It's like a story. But
wait till I see her."

* *