awss top of Ed's barn," she ended with a smile. "It was set
up too light, I reckon, an' it was allus shiftin', north, south, east
an' west, when you c'udn't feel a breath of wind on the level. I ain't
got a thing to pin it to, but I feel there's something back of it, like
a person's rheumatic spot'll ache when rain's comin'."

"You'd vote ag'in' it?" asked Sandy.

"No-o. I w'udn't."

"I figgered on puttin' it up to Molly."

"That's a good idee. An', as her guardeen, I'd suggest that Mrs. Keith
lives up to that half-promise of hers an' make it a condition she brings
Molly out here inside of six months. That'll give time for a fair trial
an' you can see right then fo' yoreself how it's workin'. Long's she
goin' to have teachers she can't lose much."

"That's a plumb fine idee," said Mormon, looking triumphantly at his
partners.

It ran with Sandy's own wishes and he subscribed to it. Sam endorsed it
as well, and a letter was sent east that night, containing the proviso
of Molly's return and another that Molly should bear all her own
expenses of tuition and living. All this to hang upon Molly's own desire
to make the change.

When Molly's letter came there appeared no doubt as to her willingness.
She admitted that she had been sometimes "lonesome" at the school. One
page was devoted to her anticipations of coming back to visit Three
Star:

I may stay; there are lots of new and lovely things here, but
I miss the mountains and the range terribly. Also Grit.
Please tell him I have not forgotten him. You might draw
cards to see who will kiss him on the end of the nose--for
me. It is a very nice nose. High man out.
Lovingly, MOLLY.

P. S. There are three other people I miss just as much as I
do Grit, but, being quite grown up, I can not send them the
same message, though it would be awfully funny to see you
delivering it to each other. Maybe, when I come, I'll be so
glad to see you, I'll do it myself. M.

"I'll kiss no dawg," declared Sam. "I like a dawg first-rate, like I do
a hawss, on'y not so much, but I'm a hell-singed son of a horned-toad if
I'd ever kiss one."

"It's two to one you don't have to," said Mormon. "If you're a sport
you'll do as Molly asks an' draw cards fo' the privilege. It's a
sure-fire cinch she'll never give you one of them salutes she hints at
when she comes home ef she knows you backed out. Wait till I git the
cards."

It was