t have left the Lodge.

Jean and Frieda bore their troubles differently. Sometimes they would
talk of Olive and again of the loss of their home and Jean would weep
passionately for a few minutes and Frieda would cry softly. But they
would soon cheer up and be convinced of Olive's immediate return and the
discovery of the lost deed to the ranch. Jean even suggested that they
need not perish if the ranch were taken away from them. She was quite
sure she would be able to work and support herself and possibly Frieda.
And for once Jack laughed, for, as she explained to her cousin, she and
Jean knew nothing in the world except how to ride horseback, and ranch
girls though they were, they could hardly be expected to join a circus.

But no one interfered with Jack. She took her long rides alone in spite
of the cold weather, for they seemed to be the only things that would
quiet her restlessness. When she was in the house, she was either
searching in every conceivable crack and corner for the lost title deed,
or else gazing listlessly out of the window.

One clear, frosty morning, Jack came in to an early breakfast, wearing
her riding habit.

"You won't mind if I am away from the ranch all day to-day, Cousin
Ruth?" she inquired quietly. "I would rather not say where I am going,
but I shall be in no danger and I shall be home before dark."

Jean waved her fork pettishly in the air. "What in the world are you up
to, Jacqueline Ralston?" she demanded. "Frieda and I awfully wanted you
to go over to Aunt Sallie's for the day with us. You knew she had asked
us and Cousin Ruth can't go, because she won't learn to ride horseback.
I should think you would be tired of mysteries and secrets by this
time, I am sure I am. Rainbow Lodge didn't use to be like this. It is
the most changed place I ever saw," Jean sighed mournfully. But Jack
made her no answer and waited until Ruth agreed to her request.

By ten o'clock, Ruth Drew was alone at the Lodge. The day began early at
the ranch, as the winter twilights soon closed in and there were no
lights but the stars to guide the wanderers over the prairies.

Ruth had assured the girls she would not be lonely. She had lots of work
to do and letters to be written to the people at home. But somehow Ruth
did not feel in the mood for any of her tasks. She was astonished at
herself. Already the old village life in the East seemed far away;
Rainbow Lodge and the vast, primitive West meant home to he