"Ah clean fergot all about it. Is Miss Anne got her'n?"

"Oh, yes! John went to Denver with her to choose the stone."

"Kin Jeb git a ring in Oak Crick, d'ye s'pose?"

"Mercy no! Oak Creek hasn't any jewelry shop, you know."

Sary was lost in thought for a time, and this was Mrs. Brewster's
opportunity. "I've been wondering how it would do to hint to Jeb that it
would make a lovely trip if he were to accompany you to Denver for a
day, and let you select your own ring."

"Oh!"

The one word breathed in a scarcely audible sound plainly expressed
Sary's ecstasy. Her great hands were loosely clasped before her as her
eyes turned ceiling-ward.

"Of course with the house full of company for a few days it will be
impossible to think of such a thing, but Bob is going away the first of
the week, and then John and Tom leave; next Miss Anne goes back to
Denver to see about sending her stuff to New York, or selling what she
really won't need, and then you will have time to take such a trip. I
will see that Jeb realizes that it is his privilege to do this for you."

"Oh, Mis Brewster, what kin Ah ever do fer you?"

"Well, you can begin to repay me for my kindness by coming out to help
me with Saturday's work. And while we are doing that I will plan with
you what had best be said and done."

Sary felt that there was a cunning here that she was not able to cope
with, but she could not resist the temptation to talk and plan about an
engagement ring for herself, so she bravely turned her back on the array
of finery, and stoically followed her mistress.

Meantime Polly and Eleanor climbed the cliffs and sat where they could
see the Bear Fork's trail in the distance. Polly was sure they would
see the great ranch-wagon the moment it came around the bend.

They had not been seated there more than twenty minutes before Eleanor
craned her neck and gazed earnestly at two dots that seemed to be
crawling along the trail. Polly turned and gazed also.

"Why, it's two horsemen! I wonder if Jim and Ken can be thinking of
visiting us over Sunday,--because Mr. Latimer is coming, you know,"
exclaimed Eleanor, joyfully surprised.

"They wouldn't be arriving Saturday afternoon, as they wouldn't be able
to leave camp until Sunday," added Polly.

Both girls shaded their eyes with their hands but neither could make out
the forms of the riders. They were mere specks on the white trail. But
the girls held their breath when the horsemen turn