s
bad as I had expected. I think I can stand it a while."

"Have you caught a glimpse of the sunny slopes yet?"

Instinctively they turned their eyes to the distant mountains, with the
white crown of snow at the top, and beneath, long radiating lines of
alternating light and shadow, stretching down to the mesa.

"The shadows look pretty dark," she said, "but the sunny slopes are
there all right. But I was happy at home; I had hopes and plans--"

"Yes, we all did," interrupted David quickly. "We were all happy, and
had hopes and plans, and-- But since we are here and have to stay,
isn't it God's blessing that there is sunshine for us on the slopes?"

CHAPTER XIII

OLD HOPES AND NEW

Along toward the middle of the summer Carol began eating her meals on
the porch with David, and they fixed up a small table with doilies and
flowers, and said they were keeping house all over again. Sometimes,
when David was sleeping, Carol slipped noiselessly into the room to
turn over with loving fingers the soft woolen petticoats, and bandages,
and bonnets, and daintily embroidered dresses,--gifts of the women of
their church back in the Heights in St. Louis.

About David the doctors had been frank with Carol.

"He may live a long time and be comfortable, and enjoy himself. But he
will never be able to do a man's work again."

"Are you sure?" Carol had taken the blow without flinching.

"Oh, yes. There is no doubt about that."

"What shall I do?"

"Just be happy that he is here, and not suffering. Love him, and amuse
him, and enjoy him as much as you can. That is all you can do."

"Let's not tell him," she suggested. "It would make him so sorry."

"That is a good idea. Keep him in the dark. It is lots easier to be
happy when hope goes with it."

But long before this, David had looked his future in the face. "I have
been set aside for good," he thought. "I know it, I feel it. But
Carol is so sure I will be well again! She shall never know the truth
from me."

When Carol intensely told him he was stronger, he agreed promptly, and
said he thought so, himself.

"Oh, blessed old David, I'm so glad you don't know about it," thought
Carol.

"My sweet little Carol, I hope you never find out until it is over,"
thought David.

Sometimes Carol stood at the window when David was sleeping, and looked
out over the long mesa to the mountains. Her gaze rested on the dark
heavy shadows of the canyons. To h