r sufferers.

"Oh yes; the hammocks served splendidly, but poor Ratzger groaned
continually because of the pain in his limbs," sighed John.

"And we had an awful job carrying them from the wagon to the milk-train.
They both are corpulent men, you know," added Tom.

"The docter went along widdem, to Denver," observed Jeb. "Gosh! Ah wisht
Ah wuz a doctor, en Ah'd have gone, too. It wuz a free ride fer him,
yuh-know."

The humor of the remark made every one smile, and Jeb gazed from one to
the other to find out just where he had been witty.

"Never mind, Jeb; you and Sary are going to Denver, you know, for that
ring," whispered Mrs. Brewster, aside to Jeb.

"It ain't the same. Sary'll tote me aroun' jest whar she wants to go, en
Ah have t' trot behin' her like a poodle!" grumbled Jeb.

Mrs. Brewster understood immediately. It was the call of freedom to the
male who is soon to be shackled, to have one last fling. So she
whispered back: "I'll see that you get a few days off for a nice visit
there all by yourself. Perhaps we can arrange to have you go with the
girls and look after their luggage on their way to New York."

At this unexpected offer of bliss, even if it was lonesome, Jeb grinned
and shuffled away to drive the horses to the barns.

As Jeb had to make another trip to meet the train on Monday noon at Oak
Creek, he was only too glad when Tom announced that he was going, too,
to meet his father and Dr. Evans.

John and Anne found so much to say to each other before the separation
came, that they were not to be seen all that day. Polly felt sure she
would find them seated on the Imps at the Cliffs, if she wanted to take
the trouble to walk there. But she didn't.

Mrs. Brewster and Eleanor were together, talking over many pleasant
secrets, or at least Polly thought they must be pleasant from the
smiling countenance on her friend. Now and then she caught such words as
"you know all about such things, Nolla," or Eleanor might say "she will
be on top of the heap, if I know it, Mrs. Brewster," so it was evident
that she, Polly, was the subject of their conversation. But Polly
herself, felt little concern about it all, as she saw the forlorn
expression on her father's face as he went about his ranch-duties.
Finally she decided upon taking a radical step.

She went to the room where she found her meager wardrobe displayed in
every country-like detail. So this was what Eleanor was planning--a
conquest made with