“Donald!” she cried passionately, “Donald!”
Donald whirled at the sound of the loved voice calling his name. His heart throbbed wildly, his throat felt constricted and his face paled under stress of strong emotion.
His arms were around his mother, yearning, tender, hungry, after these long months of separation. Her face upturned to his was white and drawn, but her eyes shone with hallowed joy. He felt his hand gripped in his father’s strong fingers, and saw his eyes shining with tears. John McLean patted his boy’s dark head with a shaking hand.
For some time Donald was oblivious to all save the great happiness of meeting his parents. His mother’s embrace almost unmanned him, and it was with difficulty that he kept back the sobs that tightened his throat.
He led his parents to the other end of the platform and introduced them to his friends.
Robert Rennie’s comments were simply gasps and a reiterated, “Well! Well!”
Andy offered his usual contribution. “Strike me pink!” he said.
Connie’s eyes were filled with soft eagerness as she greeted Donald’s mother. The glow in Donald’s face as he spoke to Connie was poignantly significant of his deep love for her. But Connie, to his consternation and dismay, met his ardent glances with a look of cold indifference.
Since Connie’s arrival Janet’s features held a look of disquietude, but she acknowledged the introduction to Donald’s parents with a radiant smile.
A moment later, Connie, with skirts held high, was running down the railroad track.
“Going after her horse,” smiled Wainwright in answer to Donald’s question.
“Will you have dinner with us?” invited Donald.
“Yes, thank you,” responded Wainwright. “We will sleep in the car to-night,” he continued, “but Constance insists that we must return to the old home as soon as possible. She has been busy drawing plans for a chalet she intends building on the bluff.”
Connie returned with the old trapper, the latter leading Pegasus.
At dinner Connie showed no signs of her former shyness. She was as self-possessed, calm and perfectly poised as a goddess. A glad light filled her eyes as Gillis and his crew of “redshirts” filed into the big dining-room. She sprang to her feet and greeted them joyfully, shaking hands with each and everyone.