tly. "He should make up
his mind to be an old bachelor--though I don't think there is anything
worse under the sun," she added, with such emphasis that the girls
giggled.

"I agree with you there," said Allen, adding whimsically: "But what a
man should do and what he does do are often very different things."

"But you speak of Dan Higgins and Meggy as if they were just ordinary
people," Grace objected, as she flicked the reins gently on Nabob's
arching neck. "You seem to forget that they saved our lives--probably."

"No, I don't forget that," said Allen gravely. "And I respect your wish
to do something in return. I also owe them a debt of gratitude." His
eyes unconsciously sought Betty's, and a quick glance passed between
them that was more eloquent than words.

"Then you will help us to help him?" said Betty quickly.

"I'll do anything I can," Allen answered, adding, rather dubiously: "But
I don't see what any one can do for them. If the old man hasn't struck
gold yet and is short of funds to finance further search, I don't see
what any one can do for him. Do you?" he added, looking at her.

"No-o," admitted Betty reluctantly. "I haven't thought of a way yet. But
I'm sure I shall," she added so bravely that the girls wanted to hug
her.

They reached the Higgins' mine soon after this, and at the sound of
their approach Meggy ran eagerly out to them, as she always did. But
when she saw Allen, looking to her unsophisticated eyes like some hero
out of a story book, handsome and city-bred, she halted and turned red
with embarrassment.

However, Allen, by his own gracious and friendly manner, soon set her at
ease, but her eyes continued to follow every movement of his as though
in amazement that such a perfect creature could live.

"Better look out, Betty," Grace whispered to the Little Captain when
nobody was looking. "Meggy thinks Allen is pretty nice. Just watch her,
she's hypnotized."

But Betty only smiled. Somehow, she felt pretty sure of Allen.

The latter struck up a great friendship with old Dan Higgins right
away--wonderful how everybody took to Allen, thought Betty proudly--and
soon they were talking like old friends. In five minutes Allen had
found out more about Dan Higgins' mine and his prospects than the girls
would have learned in a year.

Toward the end Allen managed to put a few adroit questions concerning
Gold Run Ranch and the possibility of there being gold upon it.

"Waal now," drawled H