raordinary in Ruth's
being ignorant of horses, she had never been rich enough to own one; yet
it was quite impossible for the Eastern girl and the Western one to
understand each other's points of view.

Jim Colter came back utterly crestfallen; there was no carriage to be
had in the town.

With the courage of despair, Ruth let herself be swung up on the homely
broncho. She was horribly frightened, although Jack assured her that she
was riding the gentlest pony on the ranch, one that belonged to little
Frieda. It made no difference, Ruth slipped and slid. She clutched the
pony's mane in her hands and let Jim lead her, yet every time the pony
went out of a walk, Ruth wanted to shriek with fear. She had traveled
hundreds and hundreds of miles from Vermont to Wyoming, but the distance
was as nothing to her ten-mile horseback ride to Rainbow Lodge.

Every muscle in Ruth's body ached; she had a horrid stitch in her side
and swayed uncertainly in the saddle. Each moment she expected to fall
off.

The ride home seemed almost as long to Jack and Jim as it did to their
guest. They were so ashamed of themselves, and Jack's cheeks were hot
with blushes every time she looked at her new cousin.

After about an hour of slow traveling, Jack caught sight of Ruth. Her
face was grey with pain and fatigue.

"Stop, Jim," Jack called sharply. "Cousin Ruth is going to faint."

Ruth had a dim recollection of being lifted off her horse and for the
rest of her journey she felt herself being held up by a strong arm. Now
and then a man's voice spoke to her, as if she were a little girl and he
were trying to comfort her. He was a haven of refuge and Ruth did not
think or care who or what he was, and finally he brought her safely to
Rainbow Lodge.

Jack thought she had never seen her home so lovely. There was a golden
glow behind the house and the wind stirred through the quivering yellow
leaves of the cottonwood trees. Rainbow Creek lay on one side of them
and on the other the broad sweep of the plains. Jack gazed wistfully at
Ruth who was riding in front of Jim; surely their new cousin would show
some interest in her new home!

Jean, Frieda and Olive ran out in the yard to meet the cavalcade. Jack
waved her hand, but Cousin Ruth did not open her eyes.

"We are about home, now, Miss Drew," Jim found courage to say.

"Heaven be praised!" Ruth sighed. She could barely speak.

Aunt Ellen was waiting on the porch in a starched white apron