“No.  I don’t.  I’m just stating one of the selfish, brutal facts of life.”

Judith made no reply, and for a long time Douglas made no attempt to break the silence.  It was enough to be sitting under the brilliant heavens with Judith’s wonderful body warm against his side.  The far-drawn cry of the coyotes disturbing him now no more than it did the Wolf Cub listening but unheeding.

“I can’t help thinking about old Johnny,” said Judith at last.  “It’s going to worry me terribly when I’m by myself again.  I should have stopped and taken care of him.”

“It’s not going to worry me,” returned Douglas quietly.  “The poor old fellow was unhappy and useless.  He died a real hero’s death for some one he loved.  Folks in Lost Chief are going to remember that instead of his poor old feeble mind.”

“I’m glad you were kind to him!  You have been wise and kind in many ways, Doug, and you are only a boy.  I believe Peter is right in saying you are going to be a big man.”

“Shucks!  Peter doesn’t know that all the good there is in me is built on you.”

“That isn’t true,” contradicted Judith.  “You’re big within yourself.  Even Inez said that.”

Douglas grunted and his voice was without enthusiasm as he said, “Inez can’t see anything straight that is related to love.  I’ll admit she’s dangerously interesting.  If I hadn’t always been caring for you, she might have got me twisted the same as she has you.”

“I’m not twisted,” protested Judith stoutly.  “I’m just not afraid to see marriage as it is.  Sordid!”

“Inez!” sniffed Douglas.

“Let’s not begin that again!” exclaimed Judith.  “Just love me, Douglas, and let me go away.”

He drew her closer still.  “Love you!” he repeated in his quiet voice.  “You might as well tell me to breathe or my heart to keep on beating.  I haven’t done anything else since the day I drove the preacher out of the schoolhouse.  Even when I’ve tried to stop caring, I couldn’t do it!” with a whimsical smile.  “Do you remember how I wouldn’t let you go with Dad to feed the yearlings?”

“Yes, I remember because from that moment you were a little different from other Lost Chief men in my mind.  Tell me some more.”

Douglas stared at the fire, going in retrospect over the long, long fight, the fight that still was only half over.

“I can’t put it into words that will make it seem as big to you as it is to me, Judith.  Tell me, have you been lonely all your life?”

“Yes.  Very, very lonely.  With the feeling that there was no one to understand.”

“That’s the way it’s been with me, only I always knew that if you could care for me we could understand each other.  I want to make you know me to-night, Jude.  I want to fix my real self so in your mind that wherever you go, you’ll have me with you.”

“You did that long ago, Douglas,” said Judith softly.

“Have I?” wistfully.  “You see, Jude, you are so mixed up in my mind with Grandfather’s dream of Lost Chief, and mine, and the preacher, and God, that I don’t know myself where one leaves off and another begins.  And to-night, one part of me is on fire with happiness and another is frozen with discouragement.  Are you sure you can care for me, Judith?”