Dorothy on a Ranch

cess, returned tired and dispirited. But their places were immediately taken by fresh recruits, Mr. F

t the lad had run away, feeling himself out of place at San Leon. But the fo

each, there are many such little shacks dropped here and there among the mountains; and we have probably overlooked the one in which he is sheltered. Open hospitality is a feature of the west. Anybody who comes across the boy will be

ey had all gone out to sit upon the wide veranda, the moonlight flood

orner she had sought, in the shadow of a pillar. But Mrs. Ford at once obeyed her husband's wish, a

the evening diversion of swopping stories over their pipes. They hadn't been greatly pleased at the prospect of a lot of strangers living so near them, but already all that was ch

use an' hark to yonder lady. An' now you're just gettin' it for nothin', free, clear gratis, take it or

rained singers she was careful of her throat and unused, as yet, to

a murmur of dissatisfaction from the group of men about

usic makes a feller hungry for more and sort-of-k

Ford int

a fiddle and I tell you she can just make it talk! Come farther forward, Dolly dear, and stand close to me. Then 'rosin your bow' and get to work. Show thes

might wholly forget the boy, but the master felt it not so. He knew

n I'll play as I never di

pouring down upon her white-clad little figure, her face uplifted to the sky, and her

. If they had found the Gray Lady's voice a marvel, here was a greater. That any child-a despised "female" child-could evoke such music seemed past belief; and when, at length, Mr. Fo

lcome to S' Leon. We wasn't very tickled before, thinkin' all our free livin's an' doin's was to be interfered with, but we are now. T

a will, and then again

ht about face. March

and, acting upon it, sent the delighted cowboys march

oments all were in their rooms, tired and happy despite the w

e of the rest of the household across a wide hall which cut this wing of the house in two. In structure the building was very like El Paraiso, which the Gray Lady

if together all day long, find much to chatter about a

preparations for retiring. Molly was already perched in the middle of her own

of stuff lying on the ground I thought I was a murderer! I did so. Yet I was mad,

't when Alfy hit the bull's-eye. How did you do it, child? It was wonderful and at that distance-which C

lacey things. I wish Aunt Betty would buy me some like them, but she won't. She

gs you can't get. Do you s'pose I'll ever do it again?" asked A

t again

I did do it with my eyes shut. I wonder if that ain't the rightest way to sharpshoot,

ched herself luxurious

rsian kitten! She does just that

w one. If I can find one like it, and have money enough, and-and other things. If I had shot him instead of his clothes what w

d how wicked! That's sweari

d you're horrid, just horrid, Dorothy Calvert, to say so," retorted Mol

ing, you know, thoug

y poor father's one-when a

taking of the Lord's nam

due to over-excitement and fat

ood distance from our rifle-range hereafter. Alfy did hit the bull's-eye, no matter whether she meant to do it or not. We've had a perfectly lovely evening and a perfectly lovely summer is

bove any of you, even if I can shoot better 'n the rest,

eted her words and Moll

to do it. But good night, good night. Wake early, 'cause Leslie says we've a great doin's before us, to-morrow. Som

tes of what happens up here on the Rockies. If I suc

s young person, and Alfy stared, too; but she was not impressed

uldn't do that. It

retiring hours! Lights out, or off, silence at once!" ordered Miss Mill

knelt down to say their prayers. In the heart of each was an earnest petition for "poor Ji

y repro

and don't say no more. It's sort of saucy seems if, to ask for things and then keep thinkin' in yo

er the long word but obediently rising from her knees and creeping between the snowy sheets.

a decent head on his shoulders and needed the use o' your 'n! He wouldn't

this was simply he

could! But

the open window at the moonlit ground, felt the scene a trifl

r own belongings the room was in perfect order for the day, the sun shone where t

o'clock! Oh! how could I sleep so? I never did before in all my life-

a tap at the door and a white-capped

r bath. It is ready, yes, and the other se?oritas have breakfasted and gone out

r. Ford's rules is early rising. I found that out at El Paraiso an

rita, do not fear displeasure. They are all beloved, the fair young things, but you

ide seemed even lovelier than she remembered it. Also, she was hungry-so hungry! It was quite as Mr. Ford had said; that the mountain air ma

l" dishes, and oddly enough, bearing the initial "D." Dolly lifted a cup and stared at it, wondering wh

she had played in bringing together the once divided family. Very humbly and gravely she accepted these attentions, thankful in her deepest heart that she had been "inspired," on that past winter day, to lead the father and son

ll do to help her dear Gray Lady and to prove her own love. Then her dreaming was cut short by a hubbub of merry voi

reakfast and it's nearly

in the world!" cried Mo

demurely, lifting her f

nity, but a beautiful

and the white one's mine

r own grooming and white ones have to be wash

,' and he was good enough, too. Could wal

tered toast, do give it to me! I never was so hungry

ing four chops, three boiled eggs, five helpings of potato, to

or none. And give your neighbor none, you-shan't-have-any-of-my-nice-ripe-red-strawberries-who-gives-his-neighbor-Molly, give it back! Aw, now, Molly! You wouldn't eat all the nice-ripe-Hold on! Bert Montaigne, that's a beastly shame! After I had to warble in that dulcet way for a plate of poor, left-over, second-hand strawberries, to

erries he had pre-empted from Dorothy's table; till, without saying anything, Helena calmly walked up, took the dispute

ng in pretended admiration of the pair, yet covertly watching his chan

l earlier in the day, and Monty's boasted appetite was but a

back upon "choice" and "points" and "colors" with a comparison of manes and

abbering about and be quick! Just because I was lazy-I admi

ll across the floor and Captain Lem appeared at the window. Leaning his elbows

corral behind the Barracks. Time there was somethin' doin'! Come on, Little One. I'd like to h