"It ain't that I love you less, Tharon, dear," he said gently, "that I must go. Not that, little girl. I'll love you till I die--that I know in dead certainty. But I can't stay here--not where I'll have to see you givin' all your sweet self to another man. A good man, too, Tharon--I think there ain't a better one in th' land--but--well,--I can't--that's all. I can't thank you for all you've done for me sence you was a little mite of a girl--five years back,"--his voice broke a bit, but he controlled it, "nor for th' joy you've given me--th' rides together--an' th' jokes an' playin'----" He paused a moment, unhappily, and the mistress of Last's drooped more heavily against the old adobe wall. "Nor for Golden here," went on the rider, "we'll be pals as long as we both live--nor fer-fer--" he stopped again, hesitated, looked yearningly at the quivering cheek against the curving arm, and went on to the finish. "Nor fer that one kiss, Tharon--it's my one treasure for life, so help me, God--that you give me that night. An' over all I want to thank you fer--fer--killin' th' Pomo half-breed in th' Cup o' God--_fer you done that trick fer me_! Th' one stain on your dear hands--fer me--the _only_ one, fer Fate killed Courtrey, not you. His neck was clean broke when they picked him up.... That memory will keep me alive, will save th' beauty of th' stars at night fer me, will make th' rest worth livin'.... That one kiss." He stopped again and stood for a long time looking at her as if he would fix forever in his memory the beauty of her, the fire, the spirit, the elusive quality that was Tharon Last herself. Then he sighed and smiled and gently shook the hand he held. "Come--tell me good-bye, Tharon, dear," he said softly. For answer the mistress of Last's once again reached out her arms and drew his head to her heart--once more pressed her lips upon his own. "Oh, Billy," she said with a sound of tears in her voice, "Kenset's th' one man--that's true, an' I'm helpless before th' fact--but there'll never be another can take your place in my heart--there'll never be no one to ride with me in th' Big Shadow in just th' same way, Billy--to hold my hand as we come home to Last's with that same sweet, honest friendship, that don't need words! I've got my life-love, but I've lost my life-friend--an' my heart's sore--sore with pain!" The rider lifted his face and it was glorified in the first rays of the sun that was rising over the eastern mountains. His gayly studded belt and riding cuffs, his spurs and the vanity of silver on his wide hat caught the glow and sparkled brightly. Joy became paramount over sadness. "Don't you fret, Tharon," he said, still in that soft voice, "I'm always at your shoulder in spirit--in body, too, if you ever want me or need me. So long."