"I don't know, Mac. I'm not ashamed to tell you. I love her. If she were to pass out of my life to-morrow I would ask for something that belonged to her, and the spirit of her would live in it for me until I died. That's how I care, Mac. But I've known her such a short time. I can't tell her yet. It wouldn't be the square thing. And yet she won't remain in Tête Jaune very long. Her mission is accomplished. And if--if she goes I can't very well follow her, can I, Mac?"
For a space old Donald was silent. Then he said, "You're thinkin' of me, Johnny, an' what we was planning on?"
"Then don't any more. I'll stick to you, an' we'll stick to her. Only----"
"If you could get Peggy Blackton to help you----"
"That if Peggy Blackton got her to stay for a week--mebby ten days--visitin' her, you know, it wouldn't be so bad if you told her then, would it, Johnny?"
"Bein' an old man, an' seein' mebby what you don't see----"
In his breast John's heart seemed suddenly to give a jump that choked him. And while he stared ahead old Donald went on.
"I've seen it afore, in a pair of eyes just like her eyes, Johnny--so soft an' deeplike, like the sky up there when the sun's in it. I seen it when we was ridin' behind an' she looked ahead at you, Johnny. I did. An' I've seen it afore. An' I think----"
Aldous waited, his heart-strings ready to snap.
"An' I think--she likes you a great deal, Johnny."
Aldous reached over and gripped MacDonald's hand.
"The good Lord bless you, Donald! We'll stick! As for Quade and Culver Rann----"
"I've been thinkin' of them," interrupted MacDonald. "You haven't got time to waste on them, Johnny. Leave 'em to me. If it's only a week you've got to be close an' near by Mis' Joanne. I'll find out what Quade an' Rann are doing, and what they're goin' to do. I've got a scheme. Will you leave 'em to me?"
Aldous nodded, and in the same breath informed MacDonald of Peggy Blackton's invitation. The old hunter chuckled exultantly. He stopped his horse, and Aldous halted.
"It's workin' out fine, Johnny!" he exclaimed. "There ain't no need of you goin' any further. We understand each other, and there ain't nothin' for you to do at the corral. Jump off your horse and go back. If I want you I'll come to the Blacktons' 'r send word, and if you want me I'll be at the corral or the camp in the coulee. Jump off, Johnny!"