  Early the next morning Mary Louise was aroused by a tapping at her door, and Josie burst into the room, followed by Irene, who came more slowly on her crutches. “We just had to wake you up, Mary Louise,” cried Josie, “to tell you the exciting news. They sent out officers to arrest those Browns. They found his name was Heinrich Braun, and he’s a German up from Mexico. Who could imagine such a thing!” Mary Louise leaned back on her pillows, and her eyes looked very large and lovely with their violet shadows. “Josie,” she said, “I’ve got a confession to make to you.” “I’ll bet it isn’t very serious,” laughed the girl. “Irene, oh, Irene!” Mary Louise called out. “You stay and hear it, too!” The well-bred girl Then, as the two girls sat on the side of her bed, Mary Louise told them the story of James O’Hara—the kindly, courageous uncle of Danny Dexter. She told them of the terrible mistake he had once made—a mistake atoned for time and again. She told how O’Hara happened to be on the Brown ranch and how he discovered its dangerous character. And lastly, she told of the amazing events of the previous evening, expatiating at length on the heroic part that O’Hara played in them. When she had finished her recital, Josie burst out: “Oh, Mary Louise, why didn’t you let me know about O’Hara sooner? I would never have caused him so much trouble.” “Well,” said Mary Louise, “he had not proven his mettle at that time, and that makes a great difference, doesn’t it? But you see how everything has turned out for the best.” As Josie sat on the bed, still almost unable to comprehend the amazing turn that events had taken, Mary Louise turned to her and said softly: “Josie, dear, don’t you think it would be possible “I do, too!” spoke up Irene, whose admiring gaze had not shifted from Mary Louise since the latter started her narrative. Mary Louise cast a look of gratitude on the sweet-faced girl, as Josie reflected in silence for a moment. “Such things are done now and then,” said Josie quietly, “but only in the most extraordinary cases.” “But this case is extraordinary!” urged Mary Louise. “Why, Josie, just think of the heroic way he managed to escape from the ranch! Even now, he is in danger of arrest because he chose to be loyal under the most difficult conditions! Could a man be anything but worthy who thinks more of his country than his own personal safety?” Mary Louise was about to say more in behalf of Danny’s uncle when Josie placed her hand on the girl’s arm. “There’s no need to argue O’Hara’s case further, dear,” she said. “I agree with you. “I’m so glad!” sighed Mary Louise, and she lay back on her pillows. “And I am, too!” added Irene, whose tender heart had been deeply touched by Mary Louise’s recital of O’Hara’s story. “Then, we’re unanimous!” smiled Josie, and added, good-naturedly: “Have you noticed that it’s always unanimous when Mary Louise sets her heart on a thing?” Mary Louise laughed lightly. “Oh, Josie, how you exaggerate!” she said. “Girls! Girls!” exclaimed Irene. “Here we are exchanging pleasantries, and we haven’t yet decided how we are going to help Danny’s uncle!” Irene was the most practical-minded of all of Mary Louise’s girl friends, and she was never so happy as when planning some kind deed for others. “What would you suggest, Josie?” asked Mary Louise, after a little silence had fallen on the group. “Well,” said the girl slowly, “I think my best “Just the thing!” exclaimed Mary Louise, enthusiastically. “Your father is the very man! Oh, Josie, how can I ever thank you! I know Danny would like to hear about the plan, too. Won’t you see him and tell him about it? He can tell you more about his uncle than I ever could.” “That’s what I’ll do,” said Josie, decisively. “I’ll get O’Hara’s whole story from Danny, and then I’ll wire it to dad. Father will receive it this afternoon, and we should receive an answer from him not later than to-morrow night.” “That will be splendid!” said Mary Louise. “Yes,” echoed Irene, “and just think of the happiness it will give Danny’s uncle to know that he is free once more to retrieve himself in the eyes of the world!” Mary Louise smiled a glad smile, and thought to herself that Danny, too, would be overjoyed at the news, but she did not give her thought utterance. Then the tired girl fell back on her pillow. The strain of the night before had told on her, so, sending her girl friends from the room, she turned over into a wonderful slumber that lasted almost through the afternoon. About five, Mary Louise arose, bathed and slipped into her soft pink dressing-gown. Her grandfather entered her little private sitting room as she was turning from her mirror, and on Mary Louise’s assuring him that she was perfectly well and rested now, he seated himself in the one large chair the hotel room held. Then Mary Louise threw a pillow at his feet and clasping her knees in her hands, she told him all of her adventure: the tale of O’Hara, the night ride and the lost automobile. The Colonel tenderly smoothed her dark curls as she talked, and when she had finished, he told her of his pride in her in words which made Mary Louise’s heart glow. “Have you seen Danny?” Mary Louise asked at last. The wistful look did not escape the Colonel. “Yes,” said Mary Louise, and suddenly hid her head on her grandfather’s shoulder. So it happened that Mary Louise waited for Danny out on the balcony of her little sitting-room. She had flung a warm dark fur about her shoulders, and her soft and simple gown gleamed in sweet contrast to the fur’s richness. She was leaning against the railing as Danny entered, looking off into the loneliness of the desert. The final glory of the sun was flooding the whole world with light, and the mystery of the vast sandy distances was upon her. Mystery was in her dark eyes, too, as she turned to greet Danny. The blaze of light turned to the soft dusk of twilight as Danny stood and gazed at her. Then simply, naturally, and with an infinite tenderness Danny Dexter stepped through the door and took Mary Louise in his arms. THE END Transcriber’s Note: Punctuation has been standardised. Other changes to the original publication have also been made as follows:
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