“And to-morrow you’re going with him to the Valley of Arcana, Charmian! Will you think of me all the time, dearest? You won’t listen if he makes love to you, will you, Charmian? I know you won’t--you’re the dearest, truest, sweetest girl on earth! Oh, why did I have to draw the long match! Why couldn’t I go with you instead of him? But as soon as you find the valley, you’ll come right back, won’t you, honey?” “Of course”--and she smothered the words against his lips. “I wonder, if I were to tell him that we love each other, if he wouldn’t consent to let me go instead. If Mary needs help, he, being a doctor, ought to stay with her. But then I couldn’t ask it. He wouldn’t expect me to. I know he’d give in to me--but he’d think I wasn’t a sport. We’ve always played square--the doctor and I. I hope he doesn’t love you too much, Charmian. Has he told you that he loves you? What were you saying in the cañon this afternoon?” “He told me he loved me,” said Charmian softly. “He did!”--belligerently. “And what--what did you say?” “I--I promised to consider it, Andy. I couldn’t think of anything else to say. And that was before you--before to-night, you know.” “Why didn’t you tell him there was nothing doing?” “I couldn’t. I didn’t want to-- That is, I--I--he took me so by surprise. And you hadn’t once mentioned love to me then, Andy. And who could hurt his feelings--he’s such a dear--such a manly man!” “But you knew I was going to blurt it out sometime--when I found my nerve.” “I know--I felt it, I guess. But--oh, don’t think of Doctor Shonto to-night. I love you--I love _you_! I don’t want to think of anything else in all the world!” The hour was late when they returned to camp, floating in air. The doctor had long since sought his blankets. They lengthened the good-night kiss of their new-found love, for in the morning there would be no opportunity to kiss before the parting. Charmian, Andy, and Shonto had talked at length over the directions given to Andy by the defaulting Henry for the continuation of the journey. Before the girl and Andy had gone down the gorge for their love-making all arrangements had been made for an early-morning start. The four were rather silent as they ate breakfast in the frosty cañon. Mary Temple assumed the initiative in such conversation as was indulged in, fussing over the out-going pair, as needlessly agitated as a mother hen, a couple of whose brood are ducklings and persist in taking to the water. But at last the meal was over, the good-byes were spoken, the packs and water-bags shouldered, the final love message wirelessed between Charmian and Andy. And now Mary stood needlessly shading her eyes with her hand as she watched the couple up the gorge, so dismal at that early-morning hour, while Andy watched from a seat on a large boulder, spread-legged, with hands clasped between his knees, hopelessness in his eyes. Then shrilly shouted the mother hen after her erring ducklings: