up every brand in that section, Stephen," she went
on, her voice beginning to break. "And I wrote
to every place that might by any possible chance
know something. But nobody knew. And -- and
--?? there I -- I was stopped. You had been swallowed
up in that desert, and I -- I knew you must
be ill -- and I realized that I -- I had sent you into
it all." She sobbed and leaned her head against
him. "I couldn't do anything, Stephen. I was
helpless. All I have been able to do at any
time, Stephen, was to -- to sit at a window and
wait -- wait to hear from you -- wait for your return -- and
hope, hope day in and day out that -- that
you were safe. I -- I have -- have suffered,
Stephen," she concluded, sobbing wretchedly now.
"I have suffered -- suffered so much!"

He drew her close in his arms, united at last
in complete understanding. The brown saddler,
left free, wandered away indifferently; but Pat
remained beside them, and presently they felt
the tender touch of his beautiful head, as if in
comprehension and blessing. Their hands went
out to him, and Pat nickered softly at the love in
their caress. Then Stephen gently raised Helen's
sweet, tear-stained face to his, and in her eyes he
read the certainty of the great happiness of years
to come, while Pat, raising his head proudly to the
desert, stood above them as if in solemn protection.

-- The End --

[[289]]

p288 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p289w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p290

v?