Seeing a young negro, he dismounted and tossed the rein to the boy, saying:
"Don't stable him; just walk him back and forth till he cools down and then hitch him somewhere handy; I shall ride again presently."
Walking rapidly up the path he stepped upon the porch, and there met Margaret face to face for the first time since he had gaily bidden her adieu at midsummer.
"Margaret!" he exclaimed.
"Boyd!" she answered, and a moment later he had taken her in his arms and caressed her fervently.
"Margaret!" . . . "Boyd!"—Page 436.
"You have come at last!" she said as she withdrew herself from his embrace.
"At last?" he asked in answer. "It was only two hours ago that I learned that I might come at all. I was twenty miles away then, and I am here now, here to claim fulfilment of the most glorious promise a woman ever made to a man—here to claim you, Margaret."