al attire--and there won't be even Amelia
Ellen for bridesmaid." She smiled at him mischievously.

"You darling!" he said laying his lips upon hers again. "You need no
bridal attire to make you the sweetest bride that ever came to Arizona,
and I shall always remember you as you are now, as the most beautiful
sight my eyes ever saw. If there was time to get word to some of my
colleagues off at their stations we should have a wedding reception that
would outrival your New York affairs so far as enthusiasm and genuine
hearty good will is concerned, but they are all from forty to a hundred
miles away from here and it will be impossible. Are you sure you are not
too tired to ride back to the stopping place to-night?" He looked at her
anxiously. "We will hitch Billy to the wagon, and the seat has good
springs. I will put in plenty of cushions and you can rest on the way,
and we will not attempt to come back to-night. It would be too much for
you."

She began to protest but he went on:

"No, dear, I don't mean we'll stay in that little hole where you spent
last night. That would be awful! But what would you say to camping in
the same spot where we had our last talk? I have been there many times
since and often spend the night there because of its sweet association
with you. It is not far, you know, from the railroad--a matter of a few
minutes' ride--and there is good water. We can carry my little tent and
trappings, and then take as much of a wedding trip afterwards as you
feel you have strength for before we return, though we shall have the
rest of our lives to make one dear long wedding trip of, I hope. Will
that plan suit you?"

"Oh, it will be beautiful," said Hazel with shining eyes.

"Very well, then. I will get everything ready for our start and you must
rest until I call you." With that he stooped and before she realized
what he was doing gently lifted her from her feet and laid her down upon
his couch over in the corner, spreading a many-coloured Indian blanket
over her. Then he deftly stirred up the fire, filled up the kettle,
swung it back over the blaze, and with a smile went out to prepare Billy
and the wagon.

Hazel lay there looking about her new home with happy eyes, noting each
little touch of refinement and beauty that showed the character of the
man who had lived his life alone there for three long years, and
wondering if it were really herself, the lonely little struggling nurse
with the bitter ache