r now.

Outdoors the world looked utterly deserted. There was not a leaf, nor a
blade of green grass visible, not a human being, nor an animal in sight,
except old Shep, who howled dismally at having been left at home by the
ranch girls.

Ruth slipped into a heavy old coat and went for a walk up and down the
frozen fields in front of Rainbow Lodge. Old Shep kept close beside her,
with his warm nose thrust in her hand. There were many things Ruth
wished to think about and it would be easier to see clearly and to know
what was best in the open air.

Ruth was exceedingly vexed with the overseer of Rainbow Ranch. What was
to become of Frieda, Jean and Jack, in case they were forced to give up
their home at the beginning of the New Year? Jack had confided to Ruth
that they owned six thousand dollars in bank, beside the stock on their
place. But Jack had no ideas for their future, and Mr. Jim Colter had
not seen fit to discuss with their chaperon any plans that he might have
for the girls. Of one thing Ruth was determined, whatever happened, she
would stay with the girls. She had a little money and she could earn her
living as a teacher if it were necessary, but the ranch girls should not
face the world alone. Nevertheless, Mr. Colter should explain affairs to
her more fully. It was all very well for him to argue that Rainbow Ranch
could not fall into other hands. He should look at both sides of the
question. Ruth had not seen the overseer, except for a few minutes at a
time, since the evening before the round-up. He certainly had not
treated her with proper respect.

The longer Miss Ruth Drew thought of her grievances, the angrier she
grew. Of course there was nothing personal in the matter, but as the
girls' chaperon, she deserved more consideration.

Ruth's cheeks were glowing by this time, partly from the cold air, but
quite as much from temper. She had changed a good deal. Her complexion
was certainly not sallow. She no longer wore her glasses, except when
she wished to read, and her smooth hair was now blowing becomingly about
her face under an old felt hat of Jean's carelessly put on.

But Ruth was not being altogether honest with herself; she did have a
little private spite against Jim. He had promised to teach her to ride
horseback weeks before and he had never referred to the subject again.
She dearly wished to learn. She had wanted to ride over to return Mrs.
Simpson's call and had only pretended an indiffere