rl swerved, but she still held on with loose bridle, until Larry,
swaying in his saddle, clutched at it. Then, as he swung upright, half a
length ahead, with empty hands, she flung herself a trifle backwards and
there was a brief struggle; but it was at a trot they climbed the opposite
slope.

"Now," she said, with a happy little laugh, "we are sensible once more;
but, while I knew it couldn't last, I wanted to gallop on for ever. Larry,
I wonder if we will ever feel just the same again? There are enjoyments
that can't come to anyone more than once."

"There are others one can have all the time, and we'll think of them
to-night," said the man. "There are bright days before us, and we can wait
until they come."

Hetty smiled, almost sadly. "Of course!" she said, "but no bright day can
be quite the same as this moonlight to me. It shone down on us when I rode
out into the night and darkness without knowing where I was going, and
only that you were beside me. You will stay there always now."

They held on across the empty waste while the hours of darkness slipped
by, and the sun was rising red above the great levels' rim when the roofs
of a wooden town rose in front of them. As the frame houses slowly grew
into form, Hetty painfully straightened herself. Her face was white and
weary and it was by a strenuous effort she held herself upright, the big
horse limped a little, and the mire was spattered thick upon her; but she
met the man's eyes, and, though her lips trembled, smiled bravely.

Larry saw and understood, and his face grew grave. "I have a good deal to
make up to you, Hetty, and I will try to do it faithfully," he said.
"Still, we will look forward with hope and courage now--it is our wedding
day."

Hetty glanced away from him across the prairie, and the man fancied he saw
her fingers tremble on the bridle.

"It is hard to ask you, Larry--though I know it shouldn't be--but have you
a few dollars that you could give me?"

The man smiled happily. "All that is mine is yours, and, as it happens, I
have two or three bills in my wallet. Is there anything you wish to buy?"

Hetty glanced down, flushing, at the bedraggled dress. "Larry," she said
softly. "I couldn't marry you like this. I haven't one dollar in my
pocket--and I am coming to you with nothing, dear."

The smile faded out of Larry's eyes. "I scarcely dare remember all that
you have given up for me! And if you had taken Clavering or one of the
others