go with us. It will commit us; but really,
Ben, I am not going to drag Eastern conventions into this fresh big
country. I'm willing to risk the Haneys."

"I'm glad you take that view of it," said Ben.

* * * * *

Bertha was in the yard when they rode up to the gate next morning.
Dressed in a white sweater and a short skirt, and holding biscuits for a
handsome collie to snatch from her hand, she made a charming picture of
young and vigorous life. Her slim body was as strong and supple as the
dog's, and her face glowed like a child's. Haney, sitting on the porch,
was watching her with a proud smile.

Alice glanced at her lover with admiration in her eyes. "What a glorious
creature she really is!"

Seeing visitors at her gate, Bertha came down without confusion to say
good-morning, and to ask them to dismount.

Ben, with doffed cap, replied by saying: "We've come to ask you to ride
with us."

Bertha looked up at him composedly. "Haven't a saddle, and I don't know
that any of our horses are broken. But come again to-morrow, and I'll
have an outfit."

"There's no time like the present. Let me ride down to the barn and
bring one up," volunteered Ben.

"Don't need to do that, I'll 'phone. I didn't really expect you," she
explained. "Get off and come in a few minutes, and I'll see what I can
hustle together for an outfit. I haven't rode a lick since I left
Sibley."

Ben helped Alice to dismount, and Bertha led her to the house while he
tethered the horses.

"What a superb place you have here!" exclaimed Alice. "It is one of the
best in the city."

"We bought it for the porch," calmly replied the girl. "The Captain
likes to sit where he can see the mountains. I'm not entirely done with
the outfitting yet, but it beats a barn."

Haney rose as they drew near, and smilingly greeted his visitors. "I
should be out gatherin' the peanuts and harvestin' the egg-plants, but
the dinner last night, not mentionin' Congdon's pink liquor, kept me
awake till two."

"Moral: Stick to Irish whiskey--or Scotch," laughed Ben.

"I will. These strange liquors are not for strong men like ourselves."

Ben took a seat at his invitation, while Bertha went in to 'phone for a
horse and to "dig up" a riding-skirt. Alice was eager to see the
interior of the house, but held her curiosity in check by walking about
the beautiful garden, which ran to the very edge of a deep ravine. The
trees hid the base of t