would like to walk over home
after supper, if you cared to go."

That night the work within the house and the chores about the barn
were finished in a remarkably short time. The young man and woman
started down the Old Trail like two school children, while the
father and mother sat on the porch and heard their voices die away
on the mountain side below.

The girl went first along the little path, moving with that light,
sure step that belongs only to perfect health, the health of the
woods and hills. The man followed, walking with the same sure,
easy step; strength and power revealed in every movement of his
body. Two splendid creatures they were--masterpieces of the
Creator's handiwork; made by Him who created man, male and female,
and bade them have dominion "over every living thing that moveth
upon the earth;" kings by divine right.

In the belt of timber, where the trail to the ranch branches off,
they met the shepherd on his way to the house for an evening
visit. The old man paused only long enough to greet them, and
pushed on up the hill, for he saw by their faces that the time was
come.

Sammy had grown very quiet when they rounded the shoulder of
Dewey, and they went in silence down to the cabin on the southern
slope of the mountain. The girl asked Young Matt to wait for her
at the gate, and, going to the house, she entered alone.

A short time she remained in the familiar rooms, then, slipping
out through the rear door, ran through the woods to the little
glen back of the house. Dropping beside the mound she buried her
face in the cool grass, as she whispered, "Oh, Daddy, Daddy Jim! I
wish you were here to-night; this night that means so much to me.
Do you know how happy I am, Daddy? Do you know, I wonder?" The
twilight deepened, "I must go now, Daddy; I must go to him. You
told me you would trust me anywhere with him. He is waiting for
me, now; but I wish--oh, I wish that you were here to-night, Daddy
Jim!"

Quickly she made her way back to the cabin, passed through the
house, and rejoined Young Matt. The two returned silently up the
mountain side, to the higher levels, where the light still
lingered, though the sun was down. At the Lookout they stopped.

"We'll wait for the moon, here," she said; and so seated on a big
rock, they watched the last of the evening go out from the west.
From forest depth and mountain side came the myriad voices of
Nature's chorus, blending softly in the evening hymn;