Joy squatted on the steps of the General Mining Supply Company's office
and laughed. "You ought to win with a disposition like that, Bet
Baxter. I don't admire your judgment, but I do like your spunk. I'm
with you. I'll never say a discouraging word again."

"I don't know why, but somehow that Little Orphan Annie claim is going
to help us win out!"

"But how?" whispered Kit to herself.

CHAPTER XIII

_THE "ORPHAN ANNIE" CLAIM_

Disappointments could not long dampen the spirits of The Merriweather
Girls. Youth soon conquered discouragement and by the time they were
awake the next morning, they were happy and ready to take the next step
in the adventure.

But Judge Breckenridge, with his strong ideas of justice, was not so
easily appeased. And when the girls told him of what had happened he
sat for a long time with a worried frown on his brow, then got up and
walked in the court. It was plain to be seen that he was agitated
about the claim jumpers.

"If you are bothered about us, Judge Breckenridge," said Bet, linking
her arm in his and skipping into step beside him, "You might just as
well not think about it. We didn't like it at first either, but now we
don't care at all--not much, I mean. It will save us lots of work.
And probably we couldn't be mine owners very well, anyway."

"You're a great little girl, Bet!" The Judge patted her hand
affectionately. "You're a sport, all right. Now, _I'm_ mad clean
through!"

"That's what I thought, and I have never seen you angry before."

"I'm sorry, child, I didn't mean to have you see me in this mood,
ever," said the Judge with a trembling voice.

"But I'm so glad I did. I usually snap and snarl when I have a temper
spell, and I did not know it could be done in such a dignified way. I
think it was wonderful!"

The Judge stopped short in his walk and laughed, his voice echoing
through the patio.

Enid heard it in her own room and came on the run to see what amused
her father so greatly. When she saw Bet, she smiled.

"I might have known it was you. Dad always laughs at you." And the
tall girl slipped up at the other side of her father, and snuggled
close with her head on his shoulder.

"Two daughters are better than one!" The grey-haired man clasped his
girl to him as if he had not seen her for weeks. Then turning to Bet
he said:

"Aren't you going to work your one claim?"

"Is it worth it?" she asked.

"I think I would. You c