shining out
from the depths of her fat cheeks.

Kit at that moment made a face behind the back of Kie Wicks and Bet
smothered a giggle and hastily left the veranda, motioning the girls to
follow her. Once outside they ran far enough away to indulge in a good
laugh.

"Where's Tommy?" asked Enid suddenly. "He disappeared and I can't find
him anywhere."

"We're looking for Tommy Sharpe," called Kit to a boy who stood near
the ranch house. He was dark-skinned and handsome.

The boy turned and Joy gasped with surprise. "Who is he?" she
whispered to Kit. "Who is that boy?"

"Oh, just one of the cow hands," answered Kit.

"You mean a cowboy?"

"Sure."

"But Kit Patten, you said there were no _handsome_ cowboys! Did you
notice his eyes?" Joy pulled at Kit's arm to stop her. "He's
wonderful! So romantic!"

"Come along, Joy Evans, and don't be a little fool. That's just a
Mexican boy and I don't see anything romantic about him at all."

"But his eyes!" thrilled Joy. "I don't think I ever saw such beautiful
eyes. Can't I speak to him?"

"No!" snapped Kit. "Not now! Wait until you get a little bit of
sense. We don't make friends with the Mexican laborers."

Joy turned reluctantly away. "Just my luck!--when I find a handsome
cowboy to be told I can't make friends with him."

"Oh, come on, Joy. You're silly!" laughed Bet.

"Don't _you_ think he's handsome, Bet?" asked Joy.

"Well, maybe, a little bit. But if Kit says you're not to be seen
talking to him, that goes. Kit knows the ways of the mountains."

"Yes, and like as not she'll introduce me to some man as ugly as that
fellow who just called on the Judge, and I'll be expected to be
satisfied with that."

"Who is that man, Kit?" demanded Bet. "I don't like him!"

"Few people do like him and those who do are not the kind to chum
around with," answered Kit. "I've known Kie Wicks ever since I was a
little girl, and I've never yet heard any good of him."

"He looks crafty," said Shirley.

"Like a cat that's just eaten the canary," added Enid.

"Well, let's not spoil our day by thinking up mean things about that
man. Let's nail down the furniture and anything that can be carried
away." Bet laughed merrily as she strode toward the center of the
court. "Come on, let's find Tommy."

"Oh, look at that lovely dog!" cried Enid. A large collie was coming
toward them leisurely. "He looks like the owner of the ranch."

"He is! Judge Breck