next second the girl had
thrown herself flat on the wall and had burst into tears.

Bet reached her first, "What's the matter, dear?" she called. "Are you
hurt? Let us help you!"

But the stranger had disappeared on the other side of the wall, or
partly disappeared, for her heavy skirt had caught on a barbed wire
that ran along the fence and held her suspended, head down.

With a spring Bet was on the wall. Letting herself drop to the other
side, she caught the stranger's head in her arms and eased the fall, as
the dress ripped and gave way.

The young girl's tears had vanished by the time she was once more in a
standing position. Her face was red with embarrassment.

"I'm so sorry.--I'm terribly ashamed.--I didn't know anyone was around
here. I thought I was miles in the country." She hesitated a second
then added: "Did you see my exciting horseback ride?"

"Yes, we saw it!" laughed Bet, but it was such a hearty, friendly laugh
that the stranger could not be hurt by it. In fact she had to laugh
herself and was warmly drawn toward the girls as they pressed about
her, brushing the dust off her dress, rescuing her cap, and even
pinning the torn skirt.

Then the newcomer started to explain things, hesitated and grew
confused, but Bet exclaimed: "Who are you and where did you come from?
I thought I knew everybody in Lynnwood."

"I only came yesterday. I'm from Arizona and my name is Kit Patten."

"Oh, you're the girl Mrs. Stacey phoned me about. I told her I would
be over to see you when you came. But this is a much better way of
getting acquainted, isn't it?"

"I didn't know how far away this place was from Arizona or I don't
believe I would ever have had the courage to come. I'm just plain
homesick!" and another burst of tears threatened to overflow.

"You won't have a chance to be lonesome here," exclaimed Bet
impulsively. "Will she, girls?"

"I should say not!" chirruped Joy. "But did you say you came from
Arizona? Oh I'd just love to live in Arizona, and I don't blame you
one bit for being lonesome. Arizona must be simply grand. I think
cowboys are swell! I saw one in the movies the other night, and oh, he
was handsome. Are all cowboys handsome?"

"Well no, not exactly!" laughed Kit. "--That is, I don't think so, I
don't believe I ever saw a real handsome cowboy."

"You should go to the movies then. The one I saw the other day had the
loveliest voice. Oh, I'd love to go to Arizona.