imself came in as they were pushing back their chairs from the
table, throwing open the door with a merry, "Hello, folks," on his
lips. Then as he caught sight of Wayne who had leaped up and swung
about he stared, suddenly speechless, his mouth dropping open.

"Well, Garth, old boy," cried Wayne heartily. "Aren't you glad to see
me?"

Garth came forward then swiftly, his hand out-stretched. But his eyes
were still startled rather than glad, and they passed his cousin
turning, full of question, to Martin Leland.

"Of course I'm glad," he said, his voice a little uncertain. And then,
laughing, "You just surprised me out of my senses. Why didn't you
write that you were coming?"

"Because I'd rather travel three thousand miles to tell you about it
than write a letter. I'm amazingly glad to see you. How's everything?
How is the range making out?"

"Fine," Garth answered quickly. "You have come to stay? You will be
running the outfit yourself now?"

"Business to-morrow," retorted Wayne lightly. "It is after sundown and
business should be asleep."

"And does it wake at sunup?" Garth returned with an attempt at Wayne's
bantering mood, although a little suspicion of venom lay under the
words.

"I had a Mexican friend once," grinned Wayne by way of answer, "who was
the wisest man I ever saw. He used to say, 'The day is made to rest,
the night to sleep!' We will give our attention to Manana when Manana
comes. Wanda!" he cried suddenly in the old impulsive way, "will you
play something for me?"

Wayne and Wanda went to the piano. Mrs. Leland watched them, her face
a little troubled, a little wistful. Garth and Martin Leland, after
one swift exchange of glances, rose and went to the rancher's room
where they remained for a long time. When at last they returned to the
living room Leland glanced curiously at Wayne. He was sitting with
Wanda upon the sofa under the big wall lamp, examining her pictures.
Garth approached the sofa abruptly.

"We'd better be hitting the trail, Wayne, hadn't we?" he asked. "It's
nearly ten o'clock and you remember it's six miles to bed."

Reluctantly Wayne Shandon said his good nights, calling in to Julia
that he was going to expect a pie the next time he came, which would be
to-morrow if Garth would let him, and the two men went out to their
horses. Wanda, bright and happy, waved to the departing horsemen from
the door and came back into the room to drop naturally into the