tand, even with
her assistance.

"Elizabeth isn't able to walk back to the hotel, Donald," Mrs. Harmon
said at this moment. "Won't you go ahead and bring back her chair? And I
will wait here with her, so no one else must stay on our account."

Elizabeth shook her head, setting her white lips obstinately. "I can
walk perfectly well," she insisted. "Jack says it is much better for me
to make the effort." Mrs. Harmon looked reproachfully at Jack, and the
young girl blushed uncomfortably over having the responsibility thrust
upon her.

"I only meant for Beth to walk a little at a time. I didn't mean for
her to overdo herself," she tried to explain.

By this time Olive and Donald had gone on ahead. Ruth and Jim, with
Carlos between them, had turned toward the hotel, the strangers had
departed, and Mr. Drummond and Frieda were waiting, not too patiently, a
little distance off.

Mrs. Harmon took her daughter's other arm and the three women started
onward, but it was soon plain, even to Elizabeth, that she could not go
on. With a petulant sigh she dropped on the ground. "Go and leave me,
please, everybody," she insisted. "I sha'n't mind waiting alone, and I
don't care for any breakfast."

Mrs. Harmon signaled to Jack. "Run along, dear, and ask Don to hurry,"
she murmured quietly, but Elizabeth reached up and caught hold of Jack's
skirt. "If anybody's to stay with me, let it be you, Jack," she pleaded.
"I have something I want so much to say to you alone. It's most
important, and you'll be awfully sorry if you don't listen."

"What can you have to say to Miss Ralston, Elizabeth?" Mrs. Harmon
inquired nervously.

"Oh, it is a secret between father and me," Beth returned mysteriously.
"He wants me to ask Jack something and not to let anyone else know just
yet. I had a long telegram from him last night, and now is a good time
to ask it."

Reluctantly Jacqueline sat down near Beth, for she did not wish to hear
a secret at this hour of the morning, and she did feel faint and hungry
for her breakfast. Mrs. Harmon moved off, taking Mr. Drummond and Frieda
along with her. The Honorable Peter did not look any too pleased at what
he considered the sacrifice of Jack.

As soon as they were out of hearing, Beth flung her arms about her
friend. "I am so sorry I said that about you and Mr. Drummond, Jack,
dear," she apologized. "I didn't mean a thing by it, and mother says it
may be very useful to you ranch girls some day to have