e: "Who were you going to have me propose to, Nolla?"

She sent him a mischievous look and whispered back "Polly."

He laughed softly and pinched her arm, but she noted that the rich red
color flushed his face suddenly, and she wondered, precociously,
whether she had accidentally touched upon a secret spot hidden in his
heart? The very fact of such a discovery made her defy, silently, the
possibility of any one ever daring to confess love to _her_ Polly. "No
indeed! Polly and she were cut out for business only."

But the disquieting thought that a fine chap like Tom Latimer might be
in love with simple wonderful little Polly, made Eleanor zealous in her
plans for carrying her friend off to a New York school. No one knew that
she had already started the machinery going for her own benefit, but
they were soon to find out that this fun-loving girl was as persistent
and persevering as one could find anywhere, when she had a pet problem
to work out.

The evening after John and Anne had gone to Mrs. Stewarts, in Denver,
Barbara asked a favor of her host. The very manner in which she asked
it, surprised every one at table. "Mr. Brewster, I have an important
errand to do at Oak Creek, to-morrow, and I want you to allow Jeb to
drive me in."

"To-morrow! Why, we just got back from there."

"Yes, I know, but it could not have been done to-day, so I have to go in
to-morrow."

"Jeb has to superintend the mowing of our first crops to-morrow, if it
is clear. Maybe Tom will drive you in if it is so urgent."

Barbara turned imploring eyes on Tom Latimer. Then Eleanor spoke up: "I,
too, must go in as I expect a telegram from Chicago."

Her sister scowled at her, but she seemed surprised as well. She
stammered: "What have _you_ to wire for?"

"Ah! Is that what you did? Let's see--you managed it this noon, while we
were watching the train depart, didn't you? You were in that station
just long enough!" exulted Eleanor, grinning at Barbara daringly.

But her sister would not be drawn into an argument this time, and
Eleanor decided that it must be something important, indeed, when Bob
would not snap back at her. There _had_ been times at home when Barbara
had secrets that she feared others to share, then she would keep her
peace with Eleanor.

"Unless it is a personal matter that needs your presence in Oak Creek,
Alec Hewitt will look after it. He goes to and from the post office
every day, and often brings our mail or messages