By and by a craggy red wall loomed above the trees, and its pipe-organ
conformation was familiar to Carley. She left the road and turned to go
down to the creek. Sycamores and maples and great bowlders, and mossy
ledges overhanging the water, and a huge sentinel pine marked the spot
where she and Glenn had eaten their lunch that last day. Her mustang
splashed into the clear water and halted to drink. Beyond, through the
trees, Carley saw the sunny red-earthed clearing that was Glenn's farm.
She looked, and fought herself, and bit her quivering lip until she
tasted blood. Then she rode out into the open.
The whole west side of the canyon had been cleared and cultivated and
plowed. But she gazed no farther. She did not want to see the spot where
she had given Glenn his ring and had parted from him. She rode on. If
she could pass West Fork she believed her courage would rise to the
completion of this ordeal. Places were what she feared. Places that she
had loved while blindly believing she hated! There the narrow gap of
green and blue split the looming red wall. She was looking into West
Fork. Up there stood the cabin. How fierce a pang rent her breast! She
faltered at the crossing of the branch stream, and almost surrendered.
The water murmured, the leaves rustled, the bees hummed, the birds
sang--all with some sad sweetness that seemed of the past.
Then the trail leading up West Fork was like a barrier. She saw horse
tracks in it. Next she descried boot tracks the shape of which was so
well-remembered that it shook her heart. There were fresh tracks in the
sand, pointing in the direction of the Lodge. Ah! that was where Glenn
lived now. Carley strained at her will to keep it fighting her memory.
The glory and the dream were gone!
A touch of spur urged her mustang into a gallop. The splashing ford of
the creek--the still, eddying pool beyond--the green orchards--the white
lacy waterfall--and Lolomi Lodge!
Nothing had altered. But Carley seemed returning after many years.
Slowly she dismounted--slowly she climbed the porch steps. Was there no
one at home? Yet the vacant doorway, the silence--something attested to
the knowledge of Carley's presence. Then suddenly Mrs. Hutter fluttered
out with Flo behind her.
"You dear girl--I'm so glad!" cried Mrs. Hutter, her voice trembling.
"I'm glad to see you, too," said Carley, bending to receive Mrs.
Hutter's embrace. Carley saw dim eyes--the stress of agitation, but no
surprise.
"Oh, Carley!" burst out the Western girl, with voice rich and full, yet
tremulous.