"It has not. All has been peace and quiet without; the turbulence has been within only. I do not have fears for anything as regards the power or will of man. We must not talk of those things just now. When you are stronger I have much to tell you."
"Then I must get stronger fast, for I cannot bear to lie here while you are withholding something from me."
"I fear you won't like me when I have confessed and laid my life bare before you."
"That cannot be, Jack. Nothing at all shall separate us, so far as I am concerned."
Wade raised the thin pale hand to his lips and kissed it, thus bringing a flush to her sweet face.
CHAPTER XV
Nora gradually regained her old strength, and after a few weeks had passed she was going about doing her domestic duties as before. Jack Wade was sorrowful no longer, and Rover was himself once more.
When the good dog saw Wade coming through the gate he began wagging his tail and showing by other signs that he was as happy as the human beings about him. When Wade departed for his own cabin Rover would accompany him, sometimes halfway, sometimes the entire distance, as if he believed harm would come to his friend unless he kept close watch over him. Somehow, Rover had a better instinct in sniffing danger than most dogs, and when there was the least intimation of danger or trouble Rover scented it very early, and generally conveyed the news to those about him in his own good way. He was fully understood, his language was well known to his masters, and they knew by his actions what was about to happen.
Thus it was that, when Wade was doing his evening chores, Rover came galloping into the horse-lot, baying in a troubled fashion. Something was about to happen. Rover never acted in this manner unless it was so. He ran whining to Wade, caught his boot-leg between his teeth and pulled; then letting loose, darted rapidly toward the gate, back again, barking in a manner indicating fear, taking the boot-leg again and pulling vigorously.