a and her mother
weeping and Papa Wolf blinking back tears but sternly refusing to say
good-by, the party pulled out of the little Eagle's Wing station. Herr
Werner proved to be a delightful traveling companion and he became so
much interested in the details of the experiment that he insisted that
he be invited to visit the plant; an invitation that was given most
cordially by Roger.

Thanks to Dr. Austin's experienced presence, the purchases in St. Louis
were made in record time and at the end of the second week in January,
Roger and Ernest set forth alone for the desert country.

It was their first trip west of the Mississippi and both men were
absorbed in watching the changes of scenery as the train whirled from
one state to the next. Albuquerque was an hour behind when Ernest came
into the smoking compartment where Roger was engaged in drawing on the
back of an old envelope.

"Say, Rog, I know you aren't interested in the sex, but there's the most
unusual little girl on the train. She's seven years old and traveling
all alone. Her name is Felicia. She got in at Kansas City. They checked
her through like a pup. She's going out to join her brother and sister
on a mining claim near Archer's Springs."

Roger did not stop his pencil. "Seems as if we'd have neighbors," he
said.

"I hope this is a sample of Archer's Springs girls!" said Ernest.
"Honestly, Roger, she's a lovely kid. Come on back and see her. I'm
going to take her out on the observation platform with me."

Roger grunted, and Ernest, with a grin, left him in peace. It was an
hour later when Roger, having forgotten about the child, but wanting to
ask Ernest a question, made his way to the observation platform. It was
so exceedingly dusty that Ernest and his little friend had it to
themselves.

"Here she is, little Felicia!" cried Ernest. "And here he is, big
Roger!"

The little girl looked up at Roger. He returned the look with a
surprised interest. He did not know much about little girls, but it
seemed to him that she must be rather unusual. She had large brown eyes
of astounding depth and softness. She was tall for her seven years, tall
and graceful, in a short soiled blue gingham dress, and socks wrinkling
down on stubby Oxford ties. Her hair was brown, curly and short. There
were lovely curves in her scarlet drooping lips, and a fine arch in her
head, above the ears.

She made a little curtsey and shook hands in the limp manner of
childhood. R