ed in.--There's more of
that," she added, in apparent reference to the iced drink. And then,
with a change of tone, she added, "What's the matter with her, anyway,
Doc' Jim?"

To which the old doctor with great simplicity responded:

"You've got me, Manz'ita. I can diagnose as good as any one," he went
on after a pause, "when folks have GOT something. If you mashed your
hand in a food cutter, or c't something poisonous, or come down with
scarlet fever, I'd know what to do for ye. But, these rich women--"

"Well, you know, I could prescribe for her, and cure her, too," said
Manzanita. "All I'd do is tell her she'd got to go home right off. I'd
say that this climate was too bracing for her, or something."

"Shucks! I did say that," interrupted the doctor.

"Yes, but you didn't say you thought she'd ought to take her son along
in case of need," the girl added significantly. There was a long pause.

"She don't want ye to marry him, hey?" said the doctor, ending it.

Manzanita evidently indicated an assent, for he presently resumed
indignantly: "Who does she want for him--Adelina Patti?" He marvelled
over a third glass. "Well, what do you know about that!" he murmured.
Then, "Well, I'll be a long time prescribing that."

"No, I want you to send her off, and send him with her," said
Manzanita, decidedly, "that's why I'm telling you this. I've thought it
all over. I don't want to be mean about it. She thinks that if he saw
his sister, and his old friends, and his old life, he'd get to hate the
Yerba Buena. At first I laughed at her, and so did Aus. But, I don't
know, Doc' Jim, she may be right!"

"Shucks!" said the doctor, incredulously.

"No, of course she isn't!" the girl said, after a pause. "I know Aus.
But let her take him, and try. Then, if he comes back, she can't blame
me. And--" She laughed. "This is a funny thing," she said, "for she
doesn't like me. But I like her. I have no mother and no aunts, you
know, and I like having an old lady 'round. I always wanted some one to
stay with me, and perhaps, if Aus comes back some day, she'll get to
liking me, too. She'll remember," her tone grew a little wistful, "that
I couldn't help his loving me! And besides--" and the tone was suddenly
confident again--"I AM good--as good as his sister! And I'm learning
things. I learn something new from her every day! And I'd LIKE to feel
that he went away from me--and had to come back!"

"Don't you be a fool," cautioned the d