The summer passed, during which I made it a point to meet other drovers from Texas who were buying horses and cattle.  From several sources the report of Nancrede, that the stage line south from San Antonio was now in new hands, was confirmed.  One drover assured me that a national scandal had grown out of the Star Route contracts, and several officials in high authority had been arraigned for conspiracy to defraud.  He further asserted that the new contractor was now carrying the mail for ten per cent, of what was formerly allowed to Bethel & Oxenford, and making money at the reduced rate.  This news was encouraging, and after an exile of over two years and a half, I recrossed the Rio Grande on the same horse on which I had entered.  Carefully avoiding ranches where I was known, two short rides put me in Las Palomas, reaching headquarters after nightfall, where, in seclusion, I spent a restless day and night.

A few new faces were about the ranch, but the old friends bade me a welcome and assured me that my fears were groundless.  During the brief time at my disposal, Miss Jean entertained me with numerous disclosures regarding my old sweetheart.  The one that both pleased and interested me was that she was contented and happy, and that her resignation was due to religious faith.  According to my hostess’s story, a camp meeting had been held at Shepherd’s during the fall after my banishment, by a sect calling themselves Predestinarians.  I have since learned that a belief in a predetermined state is entertained by a great many good people, and I admit it seems as if fate had ordained that Esther McLeod and I should never wed.  But it was a great satisfaction to know that she felt resigned and could draw solace from a spiritual source, even though the same was denied to me.  During the last meeting between Esther and Miss Jean, but a few weeks before, the former had confessed that there was now no hope of our ever marrying.

As I had not seen my parents for several years, I continued my journey to my old home on the San Antonio River.  Leaving Las Palomas after nightfall, I passed the McLeod ranch after midnight.  Halting my horse to rest, I reviewed the past, and the best reasoning at my command showed nothing encouraging on the horizon.  That Esther had sought consolation from a spiritual source did not discourage me; for, under my observation, where it had been put to the test, the love of man and wife overrode it.  But to expect this contented girl to renounce her faith and become my wife, was expecting her to share with me nothing, unless it was the chance of a felon’s cell, and I remounted my horse and rode away under a starry sky, somewhat of a fatalist myself.  But I derived contentment from my decision, and on reaching home no one could have told that I had loved and lost.  My parents were delighted to see me after my extended absence, my sisters were growing fast into womanhood, and I was bidden the welcome of a prodigal son.