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“For six months I hung around headquarters, busied on department matters. I had lost all track of things out here, meanwhile, for the agent had been changed shortly after I left, and no one had taken the trouble to keep me posted; but eventually I showed up on the reservation again, reaching here on the first of July, three days before the annual celebration of the people.

“Many changes had occurred in my two years’ absence, and there was no one to bring me gossip, hence I heard little during the first day or two while I was picking up the loose ends of my work. One thing I did find out, however–namely, that Running Elk had come straight home from college, and was still on the reserve. I determined to look him up during the festival.

“But on the morning of the Fourth I got the surprise of my life. The stage from the railroad brought two women, two strange women, who came straight to my office–Alicia Harman and her French maid.

“Well, I was fairly knocked endwise; but Alicia was as well-poised and as self-contained as on that Thanksgiving morning in New York when she and old Henry had picked me up in their automobile–a trifle more stunning and a bit more determined, perhaps. Oh, she was a splendid creature in the first glory of her womanhood, a perfectly groomed and an utterly spoiled young goddess. She greeted me graciously, with that queenly air of all great ladies.

“‘Where is your father?’ I asked, as she laid off her dust-coat.

“‘He’s in New York,’ said she. ‘I’m traveling alone.’

“‘And where have you been all this time?’

“‘In Europe, mainly; Rome, Naples, Cairo, India, St. Petersburg, London–all about, in fact. Father took me abroad the day after Thanksgiving–you remember? And he has kept me there. But I came of age two weeks ago.’

“‘Two weeks!’ I ejaculated.

“‘Yes, I took the first ship after my birthday. I’ve been traveling pretty constantly ever since. This is a long way from the world out here, isn’t it?’ She looked around curiously.

“‘From your world, yes,’ said I, and when she offered nothing further I grew embarrassed. I started to speak; then, noting the maid, I hesitated; but Alicia shook her head faintly.

“‘Lisette doesn’t understand a word of English,’ said she.

“‘Why have you come out here, Alicia?’ I inquired. I was far more ill at ease than she.

“‘Do you need to ask?’ She eyed me defiantly. ‘I respected father’s wishes when I was in my minority. I traveled and studied and did all the tiresome things he commanded me to do–as long as he had the right to command. But when I became my own mistress I–took my full freedom. He made his life to suit himself; I intend to make mine to suit myself. I’m sorry I can’t please him, but we don’t seem to see things the same way, and I dare say he has accepted the inevitable.’

“‘Then you consider this–this move you evidently contemplate as inevitable?’

“She lifted her dainty brows. ‘Inevitable isn’t a good word. I wish a certain thing; I have wished it from the first; I have never ceased for an instant to wish it; I feel that I must have it; therefore, to all intents and purposes, it is inevtable. Anyhow, I’m going to have it.’

“‘You have–er–been in communication with–‘

“‘Never! Father forbade it.’

“‘Then how did you know he is here?’

“‘He wrote me when he left college. He said he was coming home. I’ve heard nothing since. He is here, isn’t he?’

“‘So I believe. I haven’t seen him yet; you know I’ve been away myself.’

“‘Will you take me to him?’

“‘Have you really weighed this thing?’ I remonstrated. ‘Do you realize what it means?’

“‘Please don’t.’ She smiled wearily. ‘So many people have tried to argue me out of my desires. I shall not spoil my life, believe me; it is too good a thing to ruin. That is precisely why I’m here.’