The vaquero with them rode forward and pointed to the valley
below, where the ranch-house huddled in a pellucid sea of
moonlight.
"That's the Rocking Chair, sir."
Presently there came a shout from the ranch, and a man galloped
toward them. He passed Bucky with a wave of his hand and made
directly for Henderson.
"Dave! Dave, old partner," he cried, leaping from his horse and
catching the other's hand. "After all these years you've risen
from the dead and come back to me." His voice was broken with
emotion.
"Come! Let's canter forward to the ranch," said Bucky to Frances
and the vaquero, thinking it best to leave the two old comrades
together for a while.
Mrs. Mackenzie and Alice met them at the gate. "Did you bring
him? Did you bring Dave?" the older lady asked eagerly.
"Yes, we brought him," answered Bucky, helping Frances to
dismount.
He led the girl to her mother. "Mrs. Mackenzie, can you stand
good news?"
She caught at the gate. "What news? Who is this lady?"
"Her name is Frances."
"Frances what?"
"Frances Mackenzie. She is your daughter, returned, after all
these years, to love and be loved.
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