Big Chief, whose young face was as shining and contented as if he would never be sorry again, said, "No, she did not drive me. I came of my own accord."
"But she was the one to tell you that she thought you were an adopted child?"
Big Chief said nothing, and his mother went on, "After all I have done for her!"
"She is only a child," said Mr. Devering, and he looked appealingly at his son.
Big Chief then did a beautiful thing. "Mother," he said, "I would not like a brother or sister of mine to go through what I've gone through to-night. Cassowary must never know."
"Certainly not," said Mrs. Devering hastily. "I just wished to know who is responsible for this."
"Who is she?" asked Big Chief softly.
"The daughter of my first cousin who married in the West. After your birth, your Dad and I spent two years with her on her husband's ranch. My cousin was frantic with grief at having to die and leave her baby. She got me to take it and bring it up as my own, begging me never to let her know she was an adopted child until she came of age. Can't you see that she is different from the rest of you?"
The boy shook his head. "She looks like you, Mother."