s house, soon." Then Ted knew why he had
hesitated about blurting out his news--there was an even bigger event
to happen.

"I'm so glad," said he.

He stayed a little while only, as Mrs. Dean did not seem strong.

He saw Dean when he came home. To both of his friends he told his
news, what had been done, he showed Sir Robert's letter and then spoke
of his plan for his mother and sister.

"How wonderful," said Mrs. Dean, while John Dean looked tenderly at
her.

"I'm proud of you, Ted. I counted on you, but you did much more. I
heard from Strong, but I did not know what had been accomplished. As
to your mother and sister--they must come out here--the wonderful
thing is that Mrs. Dean will need your mother's help very soon and it
all seems to fit one thing into another. Helen will get a rest here;
she need not worry as to finding the right kind of opportunity. When
do you expect to write home?"

"At once," answered Ted.

"The sooner they come the better, although I suppose it will be every
bit of two weeks."

Ted started to leave his friends to rejoin Red and the rest. Dean
caught up with him about one hundred yards from the house.

"You know, Ted," he started without any preamble, "I feel as if my
country is calling me. I cannot think of going until the child is
born and Mrs. Dean is well. But I shall have to, hard as it may be.
That is one reason why I shall be glad to have your sister and your
mother here. They will be company for Mrs. Dean. She agrees with me
that I should go. She is the bravest, best woman in the world." He
stopped for a minute. "I shall see you later, as soon as Mrs. Dean
takes her rest. I want to know all about Chicago and what happened."

He returned to the house while Ted joined the men.

They were in the midst of a discussion of the war. Ted listened.
Smiles and several of the other men were leaving in three days--off
for the war. Red was not going--he was American. "I may go later, if
they need me," he said. There was to be a great shortage of men at the
ranch.

Dean had made Pop the new foreman to take Smiles' place. Pop was not
in the conversation, he was sitting by himself and he showed every
desire to be left alone. After a little while, he left the room.

It made the war very near and Ted felt very lonely to hear that these
friends of his were going off, some of them never to return.

CHAPTER XII

THE MARSHES REUNITED

Pop entered the house. He wanted advice an