“Was _that_ the bunch of cattle you went after?” Custer grinned. “Well, ‘A. B.’ never got them over the border even. About six miles from the _frontera_ they were set on by bandits, and the whole outfit stampeded. Meyers made a great to-do about it; took it up with Washington when he got back. He said the very fellow who had sold it to him and was helping him drive the bunch up, turned round and fell in with the thieves. What do you think of that for a skin game? But, by golly, I’m glad it happened to him instead of you.” “Well, it seems that I’m indebted to Mr. Meyers for several good turns after all. I sure haven’t lost any money or any cattle this trip, even if quite a lot of sleep has been lost.” After a moment Raquel spoke again, her wet eyes shining. “Custer, I understand you have an apology to make to Lois! You can make it after supper. Me, I want to get to the hotel, so I can telegraph Mother Daniels.” * * * * * Down through the pass swept the old car. The earth dropped away from beneath their wheels as though they flew. Below them spread the Ranch of the Lazy L, its golden pastures knee deep in gramma grass and flowers. “There’s home, Lois.” “There’s home.” What a rich and incredible home-coming! Anne would be there with Barry, who had been sent home from the Argonne with a gassed lung. And where would Anne bring him but to Los Ranchos? Already Barry was breathing easier, Custer said. And there was Mom on the front veranda waving a table cloth! Georgie could see her through the field glass glued to his eyes. “I’ve brung her back, Mom. I’ve brung her back, and the cattle,” he shouted joyfully across the four miles between them. “Wait till she can hear you. Wait till she can hear you!” They were all shouting now. On the back seat, Custer, with a vast contentment held Raquel’s hard little fist tightly in his good left hand, while his eyes rested adoringly on the blonde head in front of them. Could she ever live up to these Daniels, Lois was thinking. Oh, she wanted them to like her, to be worth the liking! How right Jimmy had been about Raquel. Only he hadn’t said half enough! And Jimmy smiled back understandingly as, singing and calling out, they swept down nearer and nearer to those clustering creamy walls, lying so golden in the afternoon sun; to that waving banner welcoming them home. THE END