, neither. She can save twenty more ranches before
she cripples up. Any man who has ambition would make no mistake in
choosing Sary. Now I believe Sary would make a big man of you, Jeb.

"She may not dye her hair or paint her face, but she's got a square
look, and we-all know what sound stock she comes of. There isn't a
better family in all Colorado than the Morson's. And Sary Morson is all
there! She has sterling qualities that will last after beauty and
singing is worn thread-bare.

"Of course she isn't anything like Anne Stewart--there never was any
girl like her! But you make a big mistake if you go away to find a
pretty girl, all dolled up like the Movie Queens, for your wife. She'd
take all your money and laugh at you the next moment.

"I've lived in big cities, Jeb, and seen a lot of the ways of pretty
girls who dress up and pose for the boys, but not one of that kind is
worth a shake. Take it from me, Jeb, you'd be happy and contented if
you had a ranch of your own, and a sensible wife to make you toe the
mark. You're too easy for any other sort, Jeb, although you figure that
you need an ideal. Not so, my man!"

Jeb heaved a mighty sigh as if he was passing on his rainbow dreams
forever. Then he turned sorrowful eyes on John.

"Wall, Ah cain't fergit that pooty gal in a hurry, even when Sary heaves
in sight wid a heaped plate of puddin' fer me. Ah s'pose Ah'll hev to
let _her_ marry me, er git out to onct. Sence yuh've ben talkin', Ah
have a sort of weakenin' fer her capable ways, and shore ez shootin',
she'll grab the first chanst Ah gives her to know the wust, because this
is leap-year."

John shouted with laughter again, and Tom Latimer turned back his horse
to ask what the joke was about.

"Nothing that concerns little boys like you, Tom," laughed John, as he
winked at his friend.

"But I feel sure I can be of help to Jeb as well as to you, John,"
insisted Tom.

"No, Mis'r Tom. It's all over," sighed Jeb, in a funereal tone. "Ah've
made up mah mind to take the med'cine, er beat it!"

With that, Jeb spurred his horse on and joined his master, leaving John
to merely hint at the great trouble that almost disrupted the household
at Pebbly Pit. "Now, thank Heavens, I have saved the ranch from ruin,
and united two hearts that ought to beat as one, hereafter!"

Tom laughed. "I'm glad you confessed to your profession. I'll be wary of
your match-making, in the future."

"But you have to find matches be