to Ernest. "What the devil shall we do with her?"

"Well, she'll have to outfit and grubstake herself. She knows that, and
she knows we're broke. I think this is a cooked up job of hers and
mother's just to help us out. And gee!--but I'll be glad to see old
Elschen!"

"So'll I, old man. But Ernest, this is no place nor circumstances for an
Old Home week. I'm sweating to finish this plant against almost
impossible odds."

"Don't I know it? Have I failed you any?"

"You have been absolutely O. K. and we'll try to give Elsa a good time."

"It will be a perfect godsend to Charley," said Dick. "She almost cried
when Gustav told us."

"Then that's settled," said Ernest with a sigh.

"Just as soon as it can be managed, we'll have to give Von Minden a
decent burial, Roger," said Dick. "I won't be using the horses to-morrow
and you'll be in good trim by then, won't you, Rog?"

"Yes," replied Roger, and if he smothered a sigh for another day lost
from his work, no one noticed it.

Roger spent the remainder of the day in the engine house, going over his
engine, shaking his head, muttering to himself like an old man, finally
straightening his shoulders stubbornly and whistling through his teeth.

After an early supper, the three went up to the ranch. Felicia, who was
wiping the dishes for Charley, hurled herself at Roger, dishcloth and
all.

"Oh!" she shrieked. "You must never leave me like this again, Roger. I
worried so about you that my stomach ached all the time you were gone."

Charley laughed with the rest, but quickly sobered. "I'm so glad you
were able to take care of poor Uncle Otto," she said. "I shall miss him
so. None of you knew him as I did." There was a pause, then Charley went
on, "Just think of Ernest's sister coming! I remember her vaguely. She's
like you, isn't she, Ernest?"

"Not a bit," said Roger. "She's full of pep and very good looking."

"Well, what do you know about that?" asked Ernest, looking at Roger
wonderingly.

"She's going to stay with us, isn't she? Please say yes," cried Charley.

"Oh, no, don't have her here. She wouldn't like to be here all the
time," begged Felicia. Then she blushed and retreated behind Roger's
chair. She refused half tearfully to explain her statement when Dick
urged her, at first jokingly, then in a commanding manner.

"Tell me, Felicia, don't you like it here?" drawing her to his side.

"Oh, let her alone, Dicky," begged Charley. "Why insist on a child's