The Motor Maids Across the Continent

rria Bun

eating Afr

was a hul

er a horr

, horrib

cts and all

doubled

ce on a far

n the balance

e is punni

is punning, you see

e girls exchanged ra

inside court they could hear the tinkle of a banjo accompanying a deep bariton

aughty Pish-

umbering Do

ng Alack

ittle Toot

y Tootle

the c

Miss Campbell. "It sounds very rough. I feel quite

mpbell had declined. It was rather too much to expect him to entertain five guests. Besides, how could he when he was not owner of the ranch. He was part owner, he said. But if they p

ealth in the West, and the good State not only often gave the

eptoe Lodge as soon as they had expected. An exploded tire had caused a long delay. No doubt Mrs. Steptoe ha

ly opened, and the voices in the court

usical Doh-

nightingale D

kin with high boots, a blue flannel shirt and a silk handkerchief knotted around his neck. The girls thought him quite the most pictur

ives here-yes," he answered

ase," said Miss Campbell, with a growing u

ayed, for Barney himself came runn

waited for you some hours on the door step. Tell the fellers to shut up, Jim, and s

ighted and been conducted into a cemented courtyard around which the house was built, after the Spanis

face, beady black eyes, black hair and a rather sweet expression which saved her from being really very ugly. The girls thought at first

ir rooms. "We want to get through early because Barney is giving a dance for y

ulated Miss Campbe

tained by the cowboy, and began to

urt. It was a very large apartment with little furniture in it except a long table and the inevitable oak sideboard which always gave Billi

her-beaten face; Tony Blackstone, whom the girls discovered presently was English. It was he who had done the s

door and then disappeared. Mrs. Steptoe herself waited on the

voured her with his eyes, and when she turned to him, dropped h

o him innocently. "You see we aren't traveling with

atter out here,

" she f

hen said it over to himself as i

he clothes. It's the dancin

t?" she

e we don't have many of them ou

rt of the country, I suppose," ob

harming face as if he had never s

the pretty o

an

they are fair

y pretty ones

nife on the floor. He stooped for so long to find it that Nancy thought he must have ha

looking into Jim's eyes with just a ghost of a smile. "I

hen, once more, plucking up courage,

many things to Miss Campbell regarding the r

Buffalo Bill Show. They are passing out. Barney here is

," sugges

's not the real thing because he

ed Blacksto

ith it," he answered, and

h lord," whispered Steptoe, "but h

se rough men were. Following Tony's example, they stood up

tments by any means. There were no bathrooms and only

s she critically examined her features in a small wooden fra

"but I suppose Miss Nancy-Bell, you are taking notice with a view to dressing up

to settle. On this occasion Miss Campbell was for appearing as spectators at the dance and not as active g

teptoe is going to wear a pink cotton crêpe. She told me she was, and they

irls laughe

, Nancy," cried Billie. "Cowboys and Indians

s filled with tears. She had very sensitive feeli

and kissing her warmly. "I wouldn't have gone fer to hurt its feelings for anything in the world. It s

re just as anxious as anybody to dress up only you're too proud

here interrupted Miss Campbell. "If Nancy wants to appear in a party

enoaks, the home of their friend, Daniel Moore, attired themselves in their prettiest gowns. Only simple muslin

e picture she made when she entered the dining room in her white dress with her floating ribbo

her palace and mingle with her low subjects for a brief space. She held her head with its c

brown hair a blue velvet band to match the embroidery on her marquisette dress. She was a glowing picturesque figure, her face flushed with interest and enthusiasm. Mary, who always falls to the

subdued murmurs of surprise and admiration. The few plain weather-beaten looking women who had driven miles across the plains for a glimpse of the Motor Maids, loo

lectors on the wall, cast a yellow glow on the scene so new to the travelers. Five chairs had been arranged in a row at the other end of the

esently two cowboys started to dancing the old fashioned polka together, and in a jiffy the whole company was whirling about

, with a new red silk handkerchief knotted around his neck, his

efore Nancy, who little knew what struggles bet

smiling sweetly as she floated away with

d. Barney McGee had led forth Mary. And Mrs. Steptoe, having introduced her brother, whose name Billie had failed to catch, that young woman had permitt

red so soon

ul under the most trying circumst

r the first time she looked in his face. Wher

she said. "I would like to

d in an almost threa

shed the sentence for the man name

e sees everywhere. "But, no, it is impossible, for this man is very well dressed, b