all directions. I am
going down to see what father is up to; he and Mr. Barbee look to me
like a couple of youngsters plotting trouble.'

A look of understanding flashed between Yellow Barbee and Professor
Longstreet as the two came down from the ranch-house. Thereafter
Longstreet beamed upon his daughter while Yellow Barbee, his hat far
back upon the blonde cluster of curls, turned his insolent eyes upon
her. Helen, deeming him overbold, sought to 'squelch' him with a look.
Instead she saw both mirth and admiration shining in the baby-blue
eyes. She turned her back upon El Joven, who retaliated by turning his
back upon her and swaggering away into the stable, whistling through
his teeth as he went. Howard went with him for his horse.

'Papa,' said Helen after the stern fashion which in time comes natural
to the girl with a wayward father, 'what are you two up to?'

'My darling,' said Longstreet hurriedly, 'what do you mean?'

'I mean you and that young scamp. He's bad, papa; bad all the way
through. And you, you dear old innocent----'

Longstreet glanced hastily over his shoulder and then frowned at her.

'You mustn't talk that way. He is a remarkably fine young fellow. We
are in a new environment, you and I, Helen. We are in Rome and must
learn something of the Romans. Now, Mr. Barbee----'

'Is Roman all the way through!' sniffed Helen. 'You just look out that
he doesn't lead you into mischief.'

In the stable Howard was saddling two horses, meaning to invite Helen
to begin her serious study now. He, too, was interested in the odd
friendship which seemed to be growing up so swiftly between two men so
utterly unlike. He turned to Barbee to ask a question and saw the
young fellow stoop and sweep up something that had fallen into the
straw underfoot. Howard's eyes were quick and keen; it was only a
flash, but he recognized a ten of spades. He turned back to the latigo
he was drawing tight. But before they left the stable he offered
carelessly:

'What do you think of the professor, Barbee?'

And Barbee answered joyously:

'He's a reg'lar ring-tailed old he-devil, Al.' He winked brightly.
'One of these days him and me is going to drift down to Tres Pinos.
And, say, won't the town know about us?'

'What do you mean?' demanded Howard sharply.

Barbee considered him a thoughtful moment. Then he shrugged.

'Oh, nothing,' he said.

Chapter VI

The Youthful Heart

To both Helen and