But first, mark this: I have in the West here some
land--three hundred and twenty acres. It may yet be to me a home, where I
shall begin once more with my Zoe's child--with my Zoe of Zoe--the
home-life I lost down by the Beau Cheval. . . . Let us go at once."
"Yes, at once," answered the Young Doctor. Yet his feet were laggard, for
he was not so sure that there would be another home for Jean Jacques with
his grandchild as its star. He was thinking of Norah, to whom a waif of
the prairie had made home what home should be for herself and Nolan
Doyle.
"Read these letters first," he said, and he put the letters found on Zoe
in Jean Jacques' eager hands.
A half-hour later, at the horse-breeding ranch, the Young Doctor
introduced Jean Jacques to Norah Doyle, and instantly left the house. He
had no wish to hear the interview which must take place between the two.
Nolan Doyle was not at home, but in the room where they were shown to
Norah was a cradle. Norah was rocking it with one foot while, standing by
the table, she busied herself with sewing.
The introduction was of the briefest. "Monsieur Barbille wishes a word
with you, Mrs. Doyle," said the Young Doctor. "It's a matter that doesn't
need me. Monsieur has been in my care, as you know. . . . Well, there, I
hope Nolan is all right. Tell him I'd like to see him to-morrow about the
bay stallion and the roans.
Pages:
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344