Dad," she declared. "I love it, because _you_
love it. And I know I gave you comfort when I was little."

"Indeed, yes! _What_ a comfort you were after your poor mother died,
Snuggy! Ah, well! you shall have your reward, dear. I am sure of that.
Only I am worried that you should be left alone now."

"Big Hen and the boys will take care of me," Helen said, stifling her
sobs.

"Nay, but you need women-folk about. Your mother's sister, now--The
Starkweathers, if they knew, might offer you a home."

"That is, Aunt Eunice's folks?" asked Helen. "I remember mother speaking
of Aunt Eunice."

"Yes. She corresponded with Eunice until her death. Of course, we haven't
heard from them since. The Starkweathers naturally did not wish to keep up
a close acquaintanceship with me after what happened."

"But, dear Dad! you haven't told me what happened. _Do_ tell me!" begged
the anxious girl.

Then the girl's dying father told her of the looted bank account of Grimes
& Morrell. The cash assets of the firm had suddenly disappeared.
Circumstantial evidence pointed at Prince Morrell. His partner and
Starkweather, who had a small interest in the firm, showed their doubt of
him. The creditors were clamorous and ugly. The bookkeeper of the firm
disappeared.

"They advised me to go away for a while; your mother was delicate and the
trouble was wearing her into her grave. And so," Mr. Morrell said, in a
shaking voice, "I ran away. We came out here. You were born in this
valley, Snuggy. We hoped at first to take you back to New York, where all
the mystery would be explained. But that time never came.

"Neither Starkweather, nor Grimes, seemed able to help me with advice or
information. Gradually I got into the cattle business here. I prospered
here, while Fenwick Grimes prospered in New York. I understand he is a
very wealthy man.

"Soon after we came out here your Uncle Starkweather fell heir to a big
property and moved into a mansion on Madison Avenue. He, and his wife, and
the three girls--Belle, Hortense and Flossie--have everything heart could
desire.

"And they have all I want my Snuggy to have," groaned Mr. Morrell. "They
have refinement, and books, and music, and all the things that make life
worth living for a woman."

"But I _love_ Sunset Ranch!" cried Helen again.

"Aye. But I watched your mother. I know how much she missed the gentler
things she had been brought up to. Had I been able to pay off those old
creditors w