In the deepening shadows of the chill November dusk the boy's face wasashen. He stooped over as if to look at that the knot in the rope was secureat the dog's neck--but the Woman knew in that brief instant thetrembling yellow lips had been pressed in an agony of renunciation againstBaldy's rough coat.

"Thank you both very much," he exclaimed in a tone that he tried to keepsteady. "Thank you fer the ride and fer--fer everything."

He did not trust himself to look at the dog again, but stepped quicklyinto the Golconda Trail.

"You must come to see Baldy often," the Woman called to him.

"Yes, ma'am, I'll be glad to--after a while," he said in reply gratefully.