ve very kindly, but Mrs. Post and Laura utterly ignored her. Olive
showed no resentment, but Jack was exceedingly provoked.

The girls dismounted and climbed into the automobile. Now and then
groups of cowboys would pass by them, jingling their spurs and joking
with one another. Olive recognized a number of Indian boys, who had
lived in the Indian village, where she had been brought up. Among them,
she thought she saw old Laska's son and her supposed brother, Josef.

Mrs. Simpson was worried over Dan's return to their party. She and Mr.
Simpson, and indeed all the ranchmen in the neighborhood, now knew of
Mr. Daniel Norton's claim to the ownership of Rainbow Ranch, and his
efforts to get it away from the ranch girls. Most of the neighbors
deeply sympathized with the Ralston girls. Mrs. Simpson dreaded a
meeting between Jack and Dan. She knew they were open enemies and hated
each other very sincerely.

But when Dan joined them, Jack showed no trace of ill feeling. She had
thought matters over and decided that good manners compelled her to
behave as naturally as possible. She had no right to continue a quarrel,
when she and Dan were both guests.

Dan Norton was in no such humor. He was furious with Frank for having
brought Jack and Olive to Mrs. Simpson, and he was determined to get
even with Jack, if he possibly could, for Jim's treatment of him at
their last meeting.

Mrs. Simpson had an early lunch, since they meant to return to their
ranch in a short time. The tablecloth was spread out on the ground, and
unconsciously she placed Laura and Dan next Olive, who made no effort to
speak to them. But Dan whispered something to Laura, immediately they
got up and marching to the other end of the line of guests, sat down
directly opposite Jack and Frank.

Nobody had much to say. To save her life, Jack could not talk naturally
with Dan's sneering face across from her. Mr. and Mrs Simpson did their
best, but the luncheon party was a failure.

Dan was awaiting his opportunity.

"Jack," Mr. Simpson remarked innocently, "Jim Colter tells me that you
have recently been losing some of your cattle and young colts. He says
that they disappear from your ranch, and when they are seen again they
have the brand of another owner on them. That is a pretty bad business.
Have you any idea who is responsible for the trouble?"

Jack shook her head desperately. She was determined to say nothing that
could make any trouble. "No, Mr. Simp