. The man ignored the frigidity.

"I see you found Watts's all right."

"Yes, thank you."

"Well, if there ain't Microby Dandeline! An' rigged out for who
throw'd the chunk! Goin' to town to take in the picture show, an all
the sights, I expect."

"We're goin' to the _hotel_," explained the girl proudly.

"My ain't that fine!"

"I got a red dress."

"Why so you have. Seein' you mentioned it, I can notice a shade of red
to it. An' that bonnet just sets it off right. That'll make folks set
up an' take notice, I'll bet."

"I'm a-goin' to the store, too."

"What do you think of that!" the man drew a half-dollar from his
pockets. "Here, get you some candy an' take some home to the kids."

Microby reached for the coin, but Patty drew back her arm.

"Don't touch that!" she commanded sharply, then, with a withering look
that encompassed both the man and his jug, she struck the horses with
her whip and started down the trail.

"I could of boughten some candies," complained Microby Dandeline.

"I will buy you all the candy you want, but you must promise me never
to take any money from men--and especially from that man."

Microby glanced back wistfully, and as the wagon rumbled on her eyes
closed and her head began to nod.

"Why, child, you are sleepy!" exclaimed Patty, in surprise.

"Yes, mom. I reckon I laid awake all night a-thinkin' about goin' to
town."

"If I were you I would lie down on the hay and take a nap."

The girl eyed the hay longingly and shook her head. "I like to ride,"
she objected, sleepily.

"You will be riding just the same."

"Yes but we might see somethin'. Onct we seen a nortymobile without no
hosses an' hit squarked louder'n a settin' hen an' went faster'n what
a hoss kin run."

"You go to sleep and if there is anything to see I'll wake you up. If
you don't sleep now you'll have to sleep when you get to town and I'm
sure you don't want to do that."

"No, mom. Mebbe ef I hurry up an' sleep fast they won't no
nortymobiles come, but if they does, you wake me."

"I will," promised Patty, and thus assured the girl curled up in the
hay and in a moment was fast asleep.

Hour after hour as the horses plodded along the interminable trail,
Patty Sinclair sat upon the hard wooden seat, while her thoughts
ranged from plans for locating her father's lost claim, to the
arrangement of her cabin; and from Vil Holland to the welfare of the
girl, a pathetic figure as she lay sprawled upon th