It was Peter Wallace who first saw the approaching visitor.
Instantly his joyful shout rang out, “Ma! Ma! Here she is! Here’s
Miss Virgie just as you were a-wishing.”
So, after all, Mrs. Wallace had been wanting to see the girl and,
with a panicky feeling in her heart, she hoped that nothing was
seriously wrong. “What if someone were ill or—” She had no time for
further surmizing, for Comrade, having reached the top of the trail,
made it possible for her to see the little house overhung with
sheltering rocks. What she saw amazed her more than anything she had
fancied.
Trunks stood packed and strapped on the small front porch. The house
had evidently been closed for an indefinite period as there were
wooden blinds at the windows barred across, and the entire family
was arrayed as for a journey. Mr. Wallace at the moment was busily
boarding up the front door.
Had the water supply ceased? Were they being forced to leave and
where could they be going? But it was evident by the shining face of
the little mother that the something that had happened must be of a
pleasant nature. “Oh, Miss Virginia,” she was hurrying forward with
hands outstretched as soon as the girl had dismounted, “how I did
want to see you before we left, but I just couldn’t think of a way.
I believe I sent you messages all day yesterday to say goodbye. Did
you get any of them?”
“I did indeed, Mrs. Wallace. That’s why I came,” the girl replied,
glad indeed that she had followed her intuitive guiding. Then, as
her roving eyes seemed to be asking a question, the mother hurried
on to answer it. “You wonder where we are going. It’s almost like an
answer to prayer. In fact, I think it _is_ an answer, and a
fulfillment of Dad’s faith. We’re going to Douglas to live where the
children can get a schooling.”
“I am going to Yale,” freckled-faced Peter put in excitedly.
“Ssh! Sonny, you mustn’t be telling that around, or folks will think
you’re a bit queer. Little boys don’t go to Yale, and you’ll have to
study powerfully hard and be extra smart to ever get there, won’t
he, Miss Virginia?”
“I believe he’ll make it.” The girl had placed a loving hand on the
hair that was sunburnt, for the boy’s expression had been suddenly
crestfallen. “Keep it always as your goal, Peter, and before many
years you’ll be writing me a letter telling me that you’re on your
way to that great Eastern college.” Then to the mother, “Now, please
begin at the beginning and tell me what has happened? Did the water
give out?”
It was Mr. Wallace who replied as he advanced with a hand
outstretched. “Indeed it did not and it’s the water that has brought
us our wonderful good luck, or rather, the instrument, I suppose.”
Virginia’s expressive face encouraged the speaker to continue, which
he did. “You recall that fine lad who camped down at the entrance to
the canon, the one who came up here with you?”
“Yes, indeed, the Traylors. I have been hoping we’d hear more about
both of them. Have you seen them again?”
“Well, not exactly seen them, but Mr. Traylor sent a legal
representative to see me. He said that, because of his son’s glowing
descriptions of my invention, he wanted to back me financially in
having it patented. He also offered me a splendid position in
connection with his smelting founderies in Douglas and Bisbee. It
seems that for some time he has been trying to perfect some
labor-saving devices and he believes, and so do I, that it can be
done.”
“And it isn’t something we’re taking on chance either,” Mrs. Wallace
hastened to explain. “Dad, of course, is pretty much of a dreamer
but this is a sure income for five years with a signed contract
backing it.”
At this point, Peter, who had evidently been watching from a peak
higher up, flew down to the group crying excitedly, “It’s coming,
Ma! Mr. Slater’s truck that’s to take us to town.”
“Well, I don’t know when I have heard more wonderful news,” the
visiting girl declared. “I won’t say goodbye, for, after all, you
are still to remain one of my neighbors. Douglas, being only twenty
miles away, with a good road between it and V. M., is almost nearer
via our auto, then it is to Hog Canon on horseback.”
Then she shook hands with the grown-ups, kissed the children, who
clung to her, left a bundle with Sari and another with Jane, telling
Peter that his would come later, and rode away.
“Don’t open them yet,” the mother said. “I know what’s in them. Miss
Virgie told me. They are pretty dresses that she and her friend have
made for you girlies. They’ll be just what you need for starting in
school. Goodness, where is your Dad?”
“There he is, high up where the spring is. Now, he’s coming. Hurry
Pop! Mr. Slater’s cowboys are coming up the trail to pack our trunks
down.”
The man’s eyes glowed, but he spoke no word. Silently he reached out
his hand and clasped that of his faithful little wife, and she
understood.
The End.