ir destination. "I hear they've struck
it rich in the fields. Buying up everything in sight, they say. We
had a well come in last week. Hope you have a place to stay, though;
Flame City isn't much more than a store and a post-office."

Betty looked up from rubbing her skirt with her clean handkerchief in
an endeavor to remove some of the gravel stains.

"Isn't Flame City larger than Chassada?" she demanded.

"Larger? Why, Chassada is four or five years ahead," explained the
Chassada man. "We've got a hotel and three boarding houses, and next
month they're fixing to put up a movie theater. Flame City wasn't on
the map six months ago. That's why I say I hope you have a place to
go--you'll have to rough it, anyway, but accommodations is mighty
scarce."

Bob assured him that some one was to meet them, and then asked about
a restaurant.

"If you can stand Jake Hill's cooking, turn in at that white door
down the street," was the advice, emphasized by a graphic forefinger.
"Lay off the custard pie, 'cause he generally makes it with sour
milk. Apple pie is fair, and his doughnuts is good. No thanks at
all--glad to accommodate a stranger."

The white door indicated opened into a little low, dark room that
smelled of all the pies ever baked and several dishes besides. There
were several oilcloth-topped tables scattered about, and one or two
patrons were eating. As Bob and Betty entered a great gust of
laughter came from a corner table where a group of men were gathered.

"Guess that was good advice about the custard pie," whispered Bob
mischievously. "Think you can stand it, Betty?"

"I'm so hungry, I could stand anything," declared Betty with vigor.
"I'd like a couple of sandwiches and a glass of milk. I guess you
have to go up to that counter and bring your orders back with you--I
don't see any waiters."

Bob went up to the counter, and Betty sat down at a vacant table and
looked about her.

CHAPTER VI

QUICK ACTION

A dirty-faced clock on the wall told Betty that it was within twenty
minutes of the time their train was due. However, they were within
sight of the station, so, provided Bob was quickly waited upon, there
was no reason to worry about missing the connection.

Bob came back, balancing the sandwiches and milk precariously, and
they proceeded to make a hearty lunch, their appetites sharpened by
the clear Western air, in a measure compensating for the sawdust
bread and the extreme blueness of