y surprised at the suggestion. He had forgotten all
about Mr. Maynard's connection with a flourishing bank.

"Won't it be nice to have your father meet my father," remarked Polly,
thinking not so much of finances as of hospitality.

"Yes, and I hope he won't interfere with Bob's plans to join mother in
the North Woods. If only we could get _rid_ of her right off, what a
fine time we could have with Dad here!" Eleanor sighed.

Polly never could understand the lack of love and family pride between
these two sisters, but then she had never seen how many families there
are, where husband and wife have opposite tendencies and ideals; it
inevitably followed that the children showed these antagonistic
qualities in their behavior to each other.

Having replied to their telegrams, both sisters were ready to ride back
to the ranch. But Tom suggested that they visit the Movies where a great
society drama was being shown. This pleased the girls, and soon they
were following the hair-breadth escapes of an unscrupulous society
impostor, and the wreck he had made of a young damsel's faith.

As they filed from the low-ceiled, ill-smelling theater, Eleanor laughed
and said: "That's the kind of life Bob wants! If she ever had a fortune
of her own, she would have to fend off just such rascals. Watch me
wasting my life trying to catch a husband--Pouf!"

Tom laughed merrily for he liked the bluntness of this girl, but he was
surprised at the flush Barbara manifested as she wondered if this astute
sister of hers could have heard that message read: "Mother mentioned 'a
fortune' and 'marriageable men.'" But Eleanor's expression was as
innocent as a babe's just then.

That evening after supper, Eleanor drew Polly out to the terrace, which
was isolated at that time, and shared her plans with her.

"I was afraid to let you, or any one, know what I was doing, so I just
went ahead and did it!"

Polly manifested no surprise at these words, as she expected to hear
much more, so she patiently waited. Eleanor seemed at a loss, for once
in her lifetime, to know how to tell her story without having it
condemned by this upright conscientious friend.

"I wrote mother just after we discovered the mine, and told her how
unhappy Barbara was in this forgotten corner of the earth. You see, I
wanted mother to send for her at once, and I was anxious to help Bob
relieve us of her company. But I never dreamed that Bob was as anxious
to get away, as we we