Full of hope, full of courage, sure of her progress--and aching with loneliness.

She sat with her head in her hands, and to her ears came suddenly the sound of a familiar step--a well-known voice--the hands and the lips of her lover.

"Diantha!" He held her close.

"Oh, Ross! Ross! Darling! Is it true? When did you come? Oh, I"m so glad! So _glad_ to see you!"

She was so glad that she had to cry a little on his shoulder, which he seemed to thoroughly enjoy.

"I"ve good news for you, little girl," he said. "Good news at last!

Listen, dear; don"t cry. There"s an end in sight. A man has bought out my shop. The incubus is off--I can _live_ now!"

He held his head up in a fine triumph, and she watched him adoringly.

"Did you--was it profitable?" she asked.

"It"s all exchange, and some cash to boot. Just think! You know what I"ve wanted so long--a ranch. A big one that would keep us all, and let me go on with my work. And, dear--I"ve got it! It"s a big fruit ranch, with its own water--think of that! And a vegetable garden, too, and small fruit, and everything. And, what"s better, it"s all in good running order, with a competent ranchman, and two Chinese who rent the vegetable part. And there are two houses on it--_two_. One for mother and the girls, and one for us!"

Diantha"s heart stirred suddenly.

"Where is it, dear?" she whispered.

He laughed joyfully. "It"s _here!"_ he said. "About eight miles or so out, up by the mountains; has a little canyon of its own--its own little stream and reservoir. Oh, my darling! My darling!"

They sat in happy silence in the perfumed night. The strong arms were around her, the big shoulder to lean on, the dear voice to call her "little girl."

The year of separation vanished from their thoughts, and the long years of companionship opened bright and glorious before them.

"I came this afternoon," he said at length, "but I saw another man coming. He got here first. I thought--"

"Ross! You didn"t! And you"ve left me to go without you all these hours!"

"He looked so confident when he went away that I was jealous," Ross admitted, "furiously jealous. And then your mother was here, and then those cackling girls. I wanted you--alone."

And then he had her, alone, for other quiet, happy moments. She was so glad of him. Her hold upon his hand, upon his coat, was tight.

"I don"t know how I"ve lived without you," she said softly.

"Nor I," said he. "I haven"t lived. It isn"t life--without you. Well, dearest, it needn"t be much longer. We closed the deal this afternoon. I came down here to see the place, and--incidentally--to see you!"

More silence.

"I shall turn over the store at once. It won"t take long to move and settle; there"s enough money over to do that. And the ranch pays, Diantha! It really _pays,_ and will carry us all. How long will it take you to get out of this?"

"Get out of--what?" she faltered.

"Why, the whole abominable business you"re so deep in here. Thank G.o.d, there"s no shadow of need for it any more!"

The girl"s face went white, but he could not see it. She would not believe him.

"Why, dear," she said, "if your ranch is as near as that it would be perfectly easy for me to come in to the business--with a car. I can afford a car soon."

"But I tell you there"s no need any more," said he. "Don"t you understand? This is a paying fruit ranch, with land rented to advantage, and a competent manager right there running it. It"s simply changed owners. I"m the owner now! There"s two or three thousand a year to be made on it--has been made on it! There is a home for my people--a home for us! Oh, my beloved girl! My darling! My own sweetheart! Surely you won"t refuse me now!"

Diantha"s head swam dizzily.

"Ross," she urged, "you don"t understand! I"ve built up a good business here--a real successful business. Mother is in it; father"s to come down; there is a big patronage; it grows. I can"t give it up!"

"Not for me? Not when I can offer you a home at last? Not when I show you that there is no longer any need of your earning money?" he said hotly.

"But, dear--dear!" she protested. "It isn"t for the money; it is the work I want to do--it is my work! You are so happy now that you can do your work--at last! This is mine!"

When he spoke again his voice was low and stern.

"Do you mean that you love--your work--better than you love me?"

"No! It isn"t that! That"s not fair!" cried the girl. "Do you love your work better than you love me? Of course not! You love both. So do I.

Can"t you see? Why should I have to give up anything?"

"You do not have to," he said patiently. "I cannot compel you to marry me. But now, when at last--after these awful years--I can really offer you a home--you refuse!"

"I have not refused," she said slowly.

His voice lightened again.

"Ah, dearest! And you will not! You will marry me?"

"I will marry you, Ross!"

"And when? When, dearest?"

"As soon as you are ready."

"But--can you drop this at once?"

"I shall not drop it."

Her voice was low, very low, but clear and steady.

He rose to his feet with a m.u.f.fled exclamation, and walked the length of the piazza and back.

"Do you realize that you are saying no to me, Diantha?"

"You are mistaken, dear. I have said that I will marry you whenever you choose. But it is you who are saying, "I will not marry a woman with a business.""

"This is foolishness!" he said sharply. "No man--that is a man--would marry a woman and let her run a business."

"You are mistaken," she answered. "One of the finest men I ever knew has asked me to marry him--and keep on with my work!"