on't it be
fine?"

"It certainly will be, Laura," answered her brother. "When do you
expect them to arrive?"

"They are coming on immediately; so I suppose they'll be here in a day
or two if they are following this letter." Laura looked inquiringly at
Dave. "What a pity Phil Lawrence isn't here," she half whispered.

Both of them knew that during the visit of the young folks to the
Endicott ranch the shipowner's son and Belle Endicott had become
exceedingly friendly.

"Well, I've invited Phil to come here," answered Dave. "I guess all
I've got to do is to mention Belle to him and he'll be on the way
without delay."

"Then, by all means, send him word," returned the sister. "Then we can
make up a fine little party, for we can pair Cora Dartmore off with
Ben."

A letter from Dave to Phil Lawrence was dispatched that evening, and
the next day came a telegram from the shipowner's son stating that he
would come on that night.

"I knew the mention of Belle would fetch Phil," remarked Dave to
Roger, when they were alone. "Phil certainly has got an eye on that
girl."

"Well, you can't blame him, Dave. Belle Endicott is a splendid girl
and comes from a splendid family. I'll never forget how royally they
treated us when we were at Star Ranch."

"Yes, we certainly did have one grand time, in spite of what Link
Merwell did to annoy us."

"Oh, drop Link Merwell!" Roger paused for a moment and then went on:
"Isn't it queer, Dave, how just as soon as you get rid of one bad egg
like Merwell another bobs up like this Ward Porton?"

"It is queer, Roger." Dave heaved a deep sigh. "I wish I could get on
the track of that rascal."

"Haven't heard a thing, have you?"

"No."

"Well, you can be thankful that he hasn't been around buying more
goods in your name."

"Oh, I think I scared him pretty well when I met him in the woods.
He'll probably lay low for a while--at least until he thinks the field
is clear again. But I'd give a good deal if I never saw or heard of
him again," and Dave heaved another sigh.

The next day the local paper came out with a big article on the front
page speaking about the Basswood fortune. Mr. Basswood had returned to
town, and had been interviewed by a reporter, and the sheet gave many
of the particulars regarding the wonderful miniatures left by Mr.
Enos. According to the paper they numbered sixty-eight all told, and
were worth from a hundred dollars to five thousand dollars apiece. It
was