l upon the doctor, "and here,
before I fairly knew it, I have become a half-owner in a ranch away out
in Wyoming."

"Eventually it may prove worth something," suggested Doctor Greenwood,
"for that section has enormous capabilities, and a tide of emigration
has been moving that way for years."

"It will take a long time to fill up that country with people. Meanwhile
I'll sell out cheap, doctor, if you feel like investing."

The physician laughed and thought the joke was on his friend. He said he
would think the matter over, which was another way of saying he would do
nothing more than think of it.

Jack and Fred were present at this interview, and listened with keen
attention to the discussion of the Western purchase. By and by Fred gave
his chum a significant look, and, excusing themselves to their parents,
they passed out of the room and up stairs to the sleeping-quarters of
Fred. The door was carefully closed behind them, and, drawing their
chairs close together, they talked in low tones, as if some dreadful
penalty would follow a discovery of what was passing between them. Had
any one been able to see the two attractive countenances, he would not
have had to be told that the same thought was in the mind of each.

"I tell you, Jack," said Fred, with impressive solemnity, "it would be a
shame; it will never do; we must not allow it."

"Allow what?"

"Why you heard your father say that he never expected to go out to
Wyoming to look at that ranch he has bought."

"I could have told you that much, without waiting for him to say it. It
will be just like him to give it away for a song."

"And who knows but that it contains valuable gold or silver mines? I
have heard of treasures being bought in that way."

"That may be," was the thoughtful response of Jack, "though I believe
most of Wyoming--that is the valleys and plains--is a grazing country."

"I don't know much about the country, but I have read enough to learn
that the greatest discoveries of gold and silver have been in places
where no one expected to find them. What I am getting at, Jack, is that
your father should make up his mind not to part with his interest in the
ranch till he knows all about it."

"How is he to learn, when he won't go near it? Of course he can write to
the people out there, but likely they will not tell him the truth."

"He must send some one whom he can trust, and let him investigate."

"That does seem to be a sensible plan," r