out to enter the house.

By ingenious artifice and persuasion Ruth had induced the girl to accept
for her own many of the various garments in the alluring trunk, and Ruth
herself had been surprised at the wonderful transformation in her
appearance when arrayed in them. Hagar was attired this afternoon in a
dark-blue riding habit, with short skirt--shortened by Aunt Martha--riding
boots, a waist with a low collar and a flowing tie, and a soft hat that
Ruth had re-made for her. She had received lessons in hair-dressing, and
her brown, wavy tresses were just obstinate enough, through long neglect,
to refuse to yield fully to the influence of comb and brush; they bulged
under the brim of the soft hat, and some stray wisps persisted in blowing
over her face.

She had just taken leave of Ruth who, at the instant Randerson stepped on
the porch, was standing inside the doorway, watching her. She had given
the girl a trinket that had long been coveted by her, and Hagar's eyes
were bright with delight as she took leave of her friend. They grew even
brighter when she saw Randerson on the porch, and a swift color suffused
her face.

The girl stood still, looking at the range boss. A sudden whim to
discover if he recognized her, took possession of her--for she had known
him long and he had been a friend to her father when friends were few;
she stood looking straight at him.

He gave her one quick, penetrating glance, and then stepped back,
astonishment and recognition in his eyes. Then he took a quick step
forward and seized her hands, holding her at arm's length, his eyes
leaping in admiration.

"Why, if it ain't Hagar Catherson!" he said, wonder in his voice. "Have
you just got out of a fairy book?"

Old friendship was speaking here; Ruth could not fail to understand that.

But he had not yet finished. "Why, I reckon--" he began. And then he saw
Ruth, and his lips wreathed in a delighted grin. "You're the fairy,
ma'am." And then he sobered. "Shucks. I'm talkin' nonsense, ma'am. I've
come to tell you that the grass ain't what it ought to be where we've
been, an' tomorrow we're drivin' past here to go down the river." He was
still holding Hagar's hands, and now he seemed to realize that perhaps he
had been too effusive, and he flushed and dropped them. "You was just
goin', I reckon," he said to the girl. And at her nod, and a quick,
pleased glance from her eyes, he added: "Tell your dad that I'm comin'
over to see him, prett