"That's it, girl," he replied. "And we're going to stand—together?"
Never before had he spoken thus from his heart to her. Cherry tried to speak, but her voice would not come. She put her two arms about his neck and drawing his head down upon her shoulder gave up the struggle to keep back the tears.
For a long time they remained thus in each other's arms, until at last there was a stirring in the room where King lay, and Cherry got up. Before she left her father she pressed his head close to her, and leaning over, kissed him on the cheek. Then she hurried away to answer King's call.
Keith McBain got up, and putting on his hat, went out alone to look about the camp before turning in for the night. Just before he started back for the cabin he went to the corral and looked over his team. He patted their flanks and sides and rubbed their necks affectionately, and then spoke to the corral foreman.
"I'll want the little team first thing in the morning," he said, and went out again.
When he returned to the cabin Cherry was standing in the doorway.
"I'll be going to town first thing in the morning," he said, as he went into the cabin with her.
"Father—please—"
There was pleading in her voice, the meaning of which Keith McBain could not mistake.
"No," he said quickly, "there'll be nothing this time to trouble you—this time or any other time. That's all past, my girl."