第407页 / 共439页

He shook his head. "Not necessary, Miss Arlie. I settled up with

her. I was thinking of the nurse that ran off and left me."

She was beginning to recover herself. "You want to thank her for

leaving while there was still hope," she said, with a quick

little smile.

"Why did you do it? I've been mighty lonesome the past two

weeks," he said quietly.

"You would be, of course. You are used to an active outdoor life,

and I suppose the boys couldn't get round to see you very often."

"I wasn't thinking of the boys," he meditated aloud.

Arlie blushed; and to hide her embarrassment she called to

Jimmie, who was passing: "Bring up Lieutenant Fraser's Teddy. I

want him to see how well we're caring for his horse."

As a diversion, Teddy served very well. Horse and owner were both

mightily pleased to see each other. While the animal rubbed its

nose against his coat, the ranger teased and petted it.