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But for a very good reason he did not seek to pull away. "Let me look at you again," commanded the man who had taken this liberty. "Turn your face up this way you hear me? My soul! I knew I couldn't be mistaken. What did you say this boy's name was, Dan?" he shot at the Captain over his shoulder. "That's Pratt Sanderson," chuckled Captain Rugley.
"Letter, Capitan," said the Mexican, impassively, removing his big hat and drawing a soiled envelope from within. "Seen anything of Miss Frances?" asked the ranchman, reaching lazily for the missive. "No, Capitan," responded the boy, and turned away. The superscription on the envelope puzzled Captain Dan Rugley. "Here, Vic!" he cried after the departing youth. "Where'd you get this?
If she tried to show him that the jewels and ornaments were not fit for her to wear, he would be hurt. "Yes!" exclaimed Captain Rugley, evidently much pleased with the idea of a social time that he had evolved with Mrs. Edwards' help, "we'll have as nice a dinner as San Soo can make. After dinner we'll have dancing, I'll get the string band from Jackleg.
"'Twarn't full of money?" shrieked Mrs. Peckham. "Why, no!" laughed Frances. "We're not as rich as all that, you know." "Well," sighed the good, if curious, woman, "I reckon there was 'nough sight more valuables in the trunk than Captain Dan Rugley wants to lose. Hurry up, there, John Peckham!" she shouted after her husband. "Git after that fellow before he has a chance to break open the trunk."
"I reckon you're not used to this sort of slapdash eating, Miss?" suggested Captain Rugley, with perfect gravity, as he saw Sue casting doubtful glances about the inner garden.
Now he struck Pratt a heavy blow across the mouth, cutting his lips and making his ears ring. "Shut up, you young jackanapes!" commanded the man. "I'll hurt her and you, too, if I like." "And Captain Dan Rugley won't rest till he sees you well punished if you harm her," mumbled Pratt. Pete struck at him again. Pratt dodged back. And at that moment Frances disappeared!
And he cannot be moved, while this Lonergan can probably travel if his fare is paid." "Oh, Doctor! If it is only a matter of money, father, I know, would hire a private car a whole train, he said! to get his old partner here," Frances declared. "Good! I advise you to go ahead and send for the man," said the physician. "It's the best prescription for Captain Rugley that I can give you.
Just then she reached the summit of a slight ridge from which she could behold the home corrals of the hacienda itself, still a long distance ahead, and glowing like jewels in the morning sunshine. Such a beautiful place! After all, Frances Rugley loved it.
"And Miss Rugley?" asked another. "Oh, I guess you'll find them together somewhere," snapped Sue Latrop. She had felt neglected by her "hero" for the last hour, and was in the sulks, accordingly. Pratt, however, came in alone. He had bagged several jacks. Altogether Silent Sam and the Mexican had destroyed more than a score of the pests, and the dogs had torn to pieces two or three beside.
The boys on the ranch don't count." Her tranquil face and manner had not betrayed nor did they betray now any of her thoughts about this young fellow whom she remembered so clearly, but who plainly had not taxed his memory with her. That was the way of Frances Durham Rugley. A great deal went on in her mind of which nobody not even Captain Dan Rugley, her father dreamed.
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