She daily strolled where she had seen the face Of Gilbert, vainly waiting with the hope That he would come once more--pensively, with Tears--and prayed that she might see him once Again before she went away. The sun From out its saffron-tinted bed burst forth And kissed the mountain peaks. She weeping, heard The matin song of birds and cooing doves, The melody of Nature’s minstrelsy-- Heard, and yet not heard, for today must she Decide among her treasures, which to take And which to leave behind. Came Zimbo and Her pets for breakfast from her hand, the last But one, for early on the morrow she Would go. “Shall we never come again to This dear spot?” she asked. Cedric feigning Cheerfulness, his sadness ill-concealed,--ran On assuringly: “Of course, we will return And rest from our long journey ’round the world; Come, bring your bric-a-brac, my girl, and we Will pack it snugly in the cabin, bar The doors and leave all safe and sound. We may Find Zimbo and the other pets all waiting When we come. Cheer up, my darling; dry your Tears, for wondrous sights are waiting for those Eyes to feast upon.” Thus talking, while he Packed her treasures in the hidden cabin. THE MIDNIGHT RIDE. Gilbert, sleepless, counted yet the slowly Dragging hours--three more days, and then The promised one; pondered o’er the words of That strange man on Palomar,--words so oft Repeated: “If she be here, then you may Speak with her.” “_If she be here!_” Their meaning-- His intention--dawned upon him. “She will _Not be there!_” In frantic haste he rose and Threw his saddle on his fastest horse and Sent the spurs along his quivering flanks; His adolescent blood in angry throbs, His eyes ablaze, he wildly flew across The mesa, through the foothills, brave Bonita Stag’ring, bore him up the trail. In early Morning came to where he spoke with Cedric. On the slope he saw the tethered burros, Well-filled packs and camping equipage near By. Then from the curtained maze of trailing Vines and boughs, he heard the gurgling waters Of the spring and sound of axe. Pressing thro’ He came upon the hidden cabin, Cedric Placing bars before the door, and Zola By his side. At sight of him came bounding Zimbo, stop’d by Zola’s voice. Then, with head Uncovered--bowed, as one in reverential Attitude before a shrine--addressed her: “We have been acquainted long, if not by Spoken word, then by the cords that bind two Hearts as one. This man who calls you daughter, He may tell you of his promise--explain The breaking--doubting not his motive, I Believe him kind and true.”