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The sun was not an hour high when the two started on the home trail Peter scorned the lead rope now but led the way nied hier was tired and stiff He was dirty and unshaven But he was happy; happy as he had never drea; too happy, too utterly brain weary to think He only knew that he was going ho, at sundown With all the desire in the world, Roger could not go on So he made camp in a little draw and lay down to sleep He did not waken until er reached the ranch There was no one to be seen Roger turned Peter into the corral and fed hied his clothing Charley, Elsa and Dick were at supper when Roger entered and with a quick sense of remorse he saw that each face turned toward him wore a look of startled anxiety He paused in the doorway, the la the lines of exhaustion around his mouth

"Hello," he said, huskily, "I've come back to you people, if you'll have er, did you really want to coer stooped and kissed her cheek "Want to co back"

Dick shoved Elsa gently aside "I'er," he said "Ernest isn't--"

Roger interrupted by placing both hands on Dick's shoulders "Oldto me now is for you to understand how I feel about you, how I understand what you've been through and how I need your help, just because of what you've been through"

There was a sudden silence Charley, her great eyes on Roger's face, did not er!--My God--do you er! I've been in too lonely a hell What's happened to you, Rog?"

"I've co his hands fro the roo quietly behind her chair Roger, with his eyes on hers, lifted both her hands against his breast

"Charley!" he said, huskily, "Oh, Charley! Charley!" and then, his voice and his will failed him and he bowed his head on her shoulder

Charley freed one hand and laid it on his head "Poor child!" she er!"