Dorothy on a Ranch

and by the deference she paid to his talk. She was eager to find out the cause of all this excitement and placed herself alongside him, as he led off with a military tread an

d youngsters behind her. At which Dorothy promptly echoed his "Hep, hep, hep," and the others took th

uel smiled

are all just proud to have you up at S' Leon, and anything you want done-say the word! All I

le. Helena, too, is fine on horseback. She's the yell

of the Barracks, and still drilling his "awkward

About

y Dorothy's, sober and set in imitation of the Captain's, she

ep, hep

supposed this drilling to be, though in reality he had taken note of all their figures and, with the exception of Herbert's and Dorothy's, saw that each could be im

r'd be the best thing ever happened to him. Exceptin' course 't it would nigh break his mother's heart, so he told me. Well, that's no more here nor there. A little drillin' in this Colorady air'll do 'em all good and set him up to a dandy sh

make it worth your while, Captain, to do your utmost for Leslie's improvement. He has lost his cough; he does seem to be w

a little pride, but with an adoring

I ain't never forgot what you done for me, takin' me out the gutter, so to speak, and settin' me on my pins again. And if there's a si

r, Lem-but we understand each other. S

relate it to Dorothy. This was why she so eagerly fell in with Captain Lemuel's idea, though s

cuous, maybe worry him and set him brooding over himself, so I'm trusting you to keep it secret. And, in any case, what

to prove her love for sweet Lady Gray. She could use her influence to keep up what the others considered a temporary gam

make us stick to it, just as in the regular army. I promis

int you First Leftenant, Company

and faced h

to the guard house, or sentinel work, for bad behavior. Put on your thinkin' caps and keep 'em on a minute. Down to West Point, where some of us is hankerin' to be, they don't allow no lyin'. A broken promise is the worst kind of

w of his hand. Then he fixed his eyes upon its white face and stood motionless, watching the second hand make it

ng a new Company, say

earnest "Aye!" save his, and Dorothy flashed an indign

your guests are just suffering to be soldiers, you

s guests were helped to enjoy themselves as they, not he, desired. It was the first time that he had had any responsibility of this sort and it didn't gre

hink it would get to be a confounded nuisance. I've never done anything, regularl

ey did at San Leon, so long as they were all together and having a good time. But she saw on Dorothy's expressive

gh he glanced her way with a promise in his

ere'd be lots of mornings when every one of us would hate it. Oh! you needn't look that way. You all would, sure. What's fun when yo

andoned her plan of helping Leslie against himself. But there was no us

All 'contrary' except the one who couldn't get his own way. No matter, nobody wants to force

rdly profound bow, to which Dorothy

e possesses. Aunt Betty knows. She's lived almost as long as all our ages put together, and she's the very happiest person I ever saw. I don't know anything about soldiering yet but I'm going to learn what I can with th

it. And while we are drilling you can amuse yourself otherwise, Leslie dear. Now, Captain, ca

Forward

nto step behind the others, willing to join i

ithin the wide paddock, or corral, as these westerners called it, was a small herd of young, thoroughbred horses. From a little stand outside the paling,

g "squad" Lady Gray turned an eage

e your age and had been promised a horse for my

sked Dorothy, hastening to bid her tardy "Good morn

t to change if any necessity for it. Your choice is to be your own property and I hope will give you lots of pleasure. Captain Lem and some of the o

her "own," supposing from Leslie's words that they were only to have the loan of

t really believe you mean it, Mrs. Ford, though-course-Ma Babcock-I never heard o' such folks-never-never-in my life. It certainly does beat the

n!" said beautiful Gray Lady, smiling, and looking fairer than ever in this new delight of making gifts, as freely as she wished. Her own life had grown so much happier, these las

appy tears,' dear Lady Gray. Alfy is too pleased

er head on Dorothy's shoulder a

Alfy Babcock's! A whole horse-a

at wasn't living?" demanded Monty, laughing. "Quit crying and let's choo

falls each on a different animal! Suppose

ered over the paling! while without a s

t pure white

out Blanca and put on her si

at this wonderful possession. The handsome saddle cloth was marked Blanca, and Mr. Ford explained that each animal was registered and its name had been chosen by its breeder. Most of these names were Spanish and suited well;

returning to Lemuel, and letting him swing her up to the saddle, without an instant's hesitation. Dorothy stared, amazed; but she needn't have done so: Alfy was "her mother's daughter"

e! And Ma Babcock'

slie, going round to her side and

hy, he's

believed the white filly to be the best as well as the handsomest creature in the corral. However, her turn was next, and he listened anxiously to hear what

t can't make a bit

o do so, too. I can't wait-do choose!" cried impatient Molly,

lico'. She's so like another Porti

too, dear, and means 'chintz'-a 'cali

e was now to the clapping of hands and lusty cheers of healthy young throats. Then she was saddled, a decorative "D" attached to h

ng equestrians! Hip, hip, hurra!" cried the master of the ranch, with a boyish heartiness that s

d a fine bay, big and powerful as well as comely, by name Benito; to Herbert a black, chosen by him for its resemblance to his own "Bucephalus," "back home" where Portia was, and from a sen

paddock one was by far the finest. That was a dappled gray, perfect in e

e the 'blue,' as his Spanish owners named him. Captain Lemuel, please saddle A

s honest eyes. But Alfy nodded, well pleased, and Mr. Ford rode to the head of the little cavalcade and took his pl

n Benito, with Monty on the chestnut, Juan-a mount well suited to his stature and requirements. Last rode Molly on Juana, another chestnut, and a perfec

who raced beside them, as well as the high spirits of the others. Around and around the spacious grounds they rode, Captain Lem pointing

hand and eagerly watching the cavalcade. Nobody else seemed to observe him, amid all the clatter and laughter.

ttle boy? Do you

her the basket, and