n took it for granted that Transley would build in town. He was so
enthusiastic over the possibilities of that young and bustling centre
of population that there was no doubt he would want to throw in his lot
with it. This prospect was quite pleasing to the girl; it would leave
her within easy distance of her old home; it would introduce her to a
type of society with which she was well acquainted, and where she could
do herself justice, and it would not break up the associations of her
young life. She would still be able, now and again, to take long rides
through the tawny foothills; to mingle with her old friends; possibly to
maintain a somewhat sisterly acquaintance with Dennison Grant....

After ten days Y.D. returned--alone. He had scarcely been able to
believe the developments which he had seen. It was as though the sleepy,
lazy cow-town had become electrified. Y.D. had looked on for three days,
wondering if he were not in some kind of a dream from which he would
awaken presently among his herds in the foothills. After three days he
bought a property. Before he left he sold it at a profit greater than
the earnings of his first five years on the ranch. It would be indeed
a stubborn confidence which could not be won by such an experience, and
before leaving for the ranch Y.D. had arranged for Transley practically
an open credit with his bankers, and had undertaken to send down all the
horses and equipment that could be spared.

Transley had planned to return to the foothills with Y.D., but at the
last moment business matters developed which required his attention. He
placed a tiny package in Y.D.'s capacious palm.

"For the girl," he said. "I should deliver it myself, but you'll
explain?"

Y.D. fumbled the tiny package into a vest pocket. "Sure, I'll attend to
that," he promised. "Wasn't much of these fancy trimmin's when I settled
into double harness, but lots of things has changed since then. You'll
be out soon?"

"Just as soon as business will stand for it. Not a minute longer."

On his return home Y.D., after maintaining an exasperating silence until
supper was finished, casually handed the package to his daughter.

"Some trinket Transley sent out," he explained. "He'll be here himself
as soon as business permits."

She took the package with a glow of expectancy, started to open it, then
folded the paper again and ran up to her room. Here she tempted herself
for minutes before she would finally open it, w