but I am as proud of it as you are of this great broad country
that reaches from ocean to ocean. I can scarcely wait until I
again see our dear crags and valleys, our rivers and ever-blue
skies, our plains and our towns. I wonder if you worship your
country as I love mine."

"From the tenor of your remarks, I judge that you have been away
from home for a long time," he volunteered.

"We have seen something of Asia, Australia, Mexico and the United
States since we left Edelweiss, six months ago. Now we are going
home--home!" She uttered the word so lovingly, so longingly, so
tenderly, that he envied the homeland.

There was a long break in the conversation, both evidently
wrapped in thought which could not be disturbed by the whirl of
the coach. He was wondering how he could give her up, now that
she had been tossed into his keeping so strangely. She was
asking herself over and over again how so thrilling an adventure
would end.

They were sore and fatigued with the strain on nerve and flesh.
It was an experience never to be forgotten, this romantic race
over the wild mountain road, the result still in doubt. Ten
minutes ago--strangers; now--friends at least, neither knowing
the other. She was admiring him for his generalship, his
wonderful energy; he was blessing the fate that had come to his
rescue when hope was almost dead. He could scarcely realize that
he was awake. Could it be anything but a vivid fancy from which
he was to awaken and find himself alone in his berth, the