Wickee was going back to the city with Zan and live at her house, but Cheokee was to be sent back to pasture on the Hamilton farm. It seemed as if the dear old horse knew the time for his friends' departure was nigh, for all the night previous to their leaving, he whinnied as he stood with his head over the lower half of the barn-door, watching every movement of the girls as they went in and out of the house. Finally, Zan said she could not stand Cheokee's mourning any longer, so she took Wickee with her and went up and had a long talk with the faithful old horse. Wickee was told to remain and keep Cheokee company that night, and she came out closing the barn door behind her.
Early the following morning, Bill drove up to the porch and placed the baggage in the wagon under the front seat, while the girls ran about saying good-bye to every corner and tree near the house.
"Oh, it doesn't seem like two months since we got out of this very wagon, does it?" sighed Nita, as they were driven through the stone gate-posts on the way to the train.
"No, and really, not very much has happened, has there?" said Jane, wonderingly.
"Not as men reckon happenings, dear. But the greatest of all happenings actually was experienced by each one of you, and that was, that you each have learned to know yourself and to make the most of all the good that the Great Spirit gave you to enjoy!" said the Guide, softly.
"Amen to that, says I!" came from Bill, in emphatic tones that made the sorrowful Band smile again.
THE END
FOOTNOTES:
[A] Author's childhood home.
[B] See "Birds Through the Year" by Albert Field Gilmore.