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Rh turned to Andree for comfort? What should it be to her except a gladness; a relief that he was not going to spoil his years waiting for what could not be? She did not think of Tempest. There was not room for Tempest even as a background when Dick filled the foreground of her thoughts. Hastily her mind said that she did not believe it, but that she hoped it. Surely it would be the best thing that could happen. Then she returned to present life to hear Slicker say:

"And so that's the end of that story."

"How very interesting, Slicker dear." Jennifer did not hesitate long enough to be ashamed of her mendacity. "Now tell me all about Grey Wolf."

"Well, I've just told you"

"Of course. I mean, tell me some more. I want to know about Mr. Bond, who always brought me every new wild-flower he found. And that funny old Poley at the barracks, and Mrs. Leigh. And Son-of-Lightning. I am so glad Mr. Leigh gave him that little shack in the Hudson Bay yard, Slicker. I would have hated to think of him lonely."

"You wouldn't be so glad if you were an employee of the H. B., honey. He'll drive them all to drink if they can't get the song out of him by a surgical operation or something. My, he is a caution. Well, it's very nice over here, but I'm glad I'm not going to stay, Jennifer. There's no place like the West once one has lived in it."

"Oh, Slicker. I do feel that. I do. I want to go back. Oh, I want to!"

Her voice was sharp with sudden pain. It brought Slicker's eyes on her.

"Why, honey; you had such a bad time out there, I never thought you'd want to go back."

"Well." Jennifer looked at the fire, speaking slowly. "I shall hear something about Harry some day, dear; and it is easier waiting for it out there. Here—it is a little difficult just occasionally. You see, Harry has disappeared, and—and, of course, all sorts of stories about it came East. Nearly everybody is perfectly sweet to me, but there are a few—like Mrs. Chichester—I know she just comes to see if she can find anything out"