But even as he walked toward the house, a dark figure arose from a clump of bushes within a few feet of the spot where Jim and the horseman had met.

The figure slipped noiselessly away into the forest.
The next morning Jim carefully groomed and saddled the brown pony for Sammy, then, leading his own horse ready for the road, he came to the cabin door.

"Going now, Daddy ?" said the girl, coming for the good-by kiss.
"My girl, my girl," whispered the man, as he took her in his arms.
Sammy was frightened at the sight of his face, so strange and white.

"Why Daddy, Daddy Jim, what is the matter ?" "Nothin', girl, nothin'.

Only--only you're so like your mother, girl.