playground was now our trysting place.
Together on our "Rockport" we planned a future wherein there were no
ugly shadows.

"Marjie, I'll always keep 'Rockport' for my shrine now," I said to her
one evening as we were watching the sunset lights on the prairie and the
river upstream. "If you ever hear me say I don't care for 'Rockport,'
you will know I do not care for you. Now, think of that!"

"Don't ever say it, Phil, please, if you can help it." Marjie's mood was
more serious than mine just then. "I used to be afraid of Indians. I am
still, if there were need to be, and I looked to you always somehow to
keep them away. Do you remember how I would always get on your side of
the game when Jean Pahusca played with us?"

"Yes, Marjie. That's where you belong--on my side. That's the kind of
game I'm playing."

"Phil, I am troubled a little with another game. I wish Amos Judson
would stay away from our house. He can make mother believe almost
anything. I don't feel safe about some matters. Judge Baronet tells me
not to worry, that he will keep close watch."

"Well, take it straight from me that he will do it," I assured her.
"Let's let the widower go his way. He talks about me; says I'm 'callow,
that's it, just callow.' I don't mind being callow, as long as it's not
catching. Look at the river, how it glistens now. We can almost see the
shallows up by the stone cabin below the big cottonwood. The old tree is
shapely, isn't it?"

We were looking upstream to where the huge old tree stood out against
the golden horizon.

"Let's buy that land, Phil, and build a house under the big cottonwood
some day."

"All right, I'm to go out there again soon. Will you go too?"

"Of course," Marjie assented, "if you want me to."

"I am sure I'd never want to take any other girl out there, but just
you, dear," I declared.

And then we talked of other things, and promised to put our letters next
day, into the deep crevice we had called our post-office these many
years. Before we parted that night, I said:

"I'm thinking of going up to Topeka when the band goes to the big
political speaking, next week. I will write to you. And be sure to let
me find a letter in 'Rockport' when I get back. I'll be so lonely up
there."

"Well, find some pretty girl and let her kill time for you."

"Will you and Judson kill time down here?"

"Ugh! no," Marjie shivered in disgust. "I can't bear the sight of his
face any more."

"Good! I'll not