Lanning and Harrison left in the morning in charge of Bill Dancing to join the hunting party in the Park, and Mr. Brock finding himself within a few hours' ride of Medicine Bend decided to run down. Late in the afternoon the Pittsburg train drew up at the Wickiup.
Gertrude and her sister left their car together to walk in the sunshine that flooded the platform, for the sun was still a little above the mountains. In front of the eating-house a fawn-colored collie racing across the lawn attracted Gertrude, and with her sister she started up the walk to make friends with him. In one of his rushes he darted up the eating-house steps and ran around to the west porch, the two young ladies leisurely following. As they turned the corner they saw their runaway crouching before a man who, with one foot on the low railing, stood leaning against a pillar. The collie was waiting for a lump of sugar, and his master had just taken one from the pocket of his sack coat when the young ladies recognized him.
"Really, Mr. Glover, your tastes are domestic," declared Marie; "you make excellent taffy--now I find you feeding a collie." She pointed to the lump of sugar. "And how is your hand?"
"I can't get over seeing you here," said Glover, collecting himself by degrees. "When did you come? Take these chairs, won't you?"
"You, I believe, are responsible for the early resumption of traffic through the cañon," answered Marie. "Besides, nothing in our wanderings need ever cause surprise. Anyone unfortunate enough to be attached to a directors' party will end in a feeble-minded institution."
Gertrude was talking to the collie. "Isn't he beautiful, Marie?" she exclaimed. "Come here, you dear fellow. I fell in love with him the minute I saw him--to whom does he belong, Mr. Glover? Come here."
"Do give Mr. Glover a chance," interposed Gertrude. "Tell me about this dog, Mr. Glover."
"He is the best dog in the world, Miss Brock. Mr. Bucks gave him to me when I first came to the mountains--we were puppies together----"
"It wasn't a hand, it was a wrist, and it is much better, thank you--his name is Stumah."
"Stumah? How odd. Come here, Stumah. Does he mind?"
"He doesn't mind me, but no one minds me, so I forgive him that."