“Oh, father, it looks just the same! There are our mountains that Colonel Standish and I said good-by to. Oh, daddy, I’ve missed the mountains so! And there are the foot-hills! Aren’t they green? And see the flowers on them! Oh, there’s a shooting star! I saw it in the hollow as we passed. And aren’t the grain fields lovely with the wind sweeping over them? Oh, father, won’t the girls just love it? And won’t it be perfectly lovely to have them? I never saw any one so happy as Carver Standish when he said you had asked him. The Colonel was smiling all over, too. It will be a regular house-party, won’t it? And isn’t it wonderful that Aunt Nan’s coming with all of them? Oh, father, weren’t we happy in Vermont, and isn’t it just the loveliest thing in all the world that we have grandmother and Aunt Nan for our very own? I know mother would be happy, don’t you?” “I’m sure she would be very happy, dear. It’s what we used to hope for years ago. And I’m the happiest man in all Wyoming to have my little daughter back, and I’m more glad than ever that I sent her away to school.” “Oh, I’m so glad that I can’t help thinking about it. Just think if I’d never gone, I’d never have known Priscilla—isn’t she dear, father—or Dorothy, or Mary and Anne, or those dear, funny Blackmore twins, or Vivian—Vivian seems silly, father, but she isn’t really, she’s fine underneath, you’ll see—or Miss King, or darling Miss Wallace—oh, daddy, wasn’t she too dear for anything when she said good-by? She kissed me twice. It’s selfish to notice, but I couldn’t help it. She’s one of my very dearest friends. Didn’t you like her especially?” “Very much, dear. See, we’re coming nearer. We’ve crossed the creek bridge. Better put on your hat.” Fifteen minutes later they had left the dingy little station and were driving along the country road between fields of waving grain, the proud Dick being holder of the reins. Virginia plied him with eager questions. “Oh, Dick, how is the colt?” “Fine, Miss Virginia. We put him on the range last month.” [Illustration: “The road lay at the very base of the green foot-hills.”] “And how’s Pedro?” “He’s fine, too.” “Have the little collies grown much?” Dick laughed. “They’re not little any more, Miss Virginia.” “And how are Alec and Joe and Hannah and Mr. Weeks and William?” “They’re first-rate, and all anxious to see you.” Virginia clung closer to her father’s hand. “It seems strange, doesn’t it, father,” she whispered, her voice breaking, “and—and sad not to have Jim drive us home?” For miles they drove across the broad prairies, past grain fields and through barren, unirrigated stretches. Then at last they turned a bend in the road, and there before them lay the nearer foot-hills, with the higher ranges above, and far above all the mountains—still snow-covered. “They look really friendly this morning with the sun on them,” said Virginia, “and they ought to when I love them so, and am coming back to them.”