“I believe I’ve lost my brooch,” she explained, in answer to Burton’s anxious inquiry. “It was a gift from Brother Harry, and——”
She found no words to express her emotion, which Burton knew to be greater than she cared to admit.
“I don’t think you need worry,” the young man said. “The sun is just setting, and we still have an hour of fair light. I noticed the brooch when we left the store, so it must be on the road. I will hurry back and find it.”
Burton set the packages down a little way from the road, and the two hurried back through the gathering twilight, keeping a keen look-out as they walked. It was not until they were almost at the recreation grounds that a faint glint in the dust attracted Burton’s eye. He lifted the precious trifle and restored it to the delighted owner, whose profuse thanks called forth blushes that might be seen even in the dusk which was now silently enwrapping all the familiar objects of the prairie and roadside. Retracing their steps they walked more slowly; it became quite dark, but a mild wind blew from the south-west, and there was just enough eeriness in the situation to suggest the necessity of a man’s protection. Finally they arrived at Delt’s gate, where Harry Grant and young Mrs. Delt were awaiting Miss Vane with growing anxiety.
A horse and buggy swung past them as they left the main road, and Harry Grant called out:
“Ah, here you are at last! And who is this? Why, I declare, if it isn’t our friend Burton. That accounts for the delay. ‘In the spring a young man’s fancy,’ you know.”
Gardiner, returning from his fruitless drive to the Grants’ home, heard the words and recognized the voice.
And they troubled his sleep that night, and for many nights to come.
“We have heard the cattle lowing in the silent summer nights; We have smelt the smudge-fire fragrance—we have seen the smudge-fire lights— We have heard the wild duck grumbling to his mate along the bank; Heard the thirsty horses snorting in the stream from which they drank; Heard the voice of Youth and Laughter in the long slow-gloaming night; Seen the arched electric splendour of the Great North’s livid light; Read the reason of existence—felt the touch that was divine— And in eyes that glowed responsive saw the end of God’s design.”