Jim Colter
was obliged to be away from home--there was never a chance for a quiet
moment with Ruth--machinery had to be ordered for the new mine, legal
formalities to be gone through with. But just once Jim spared an hour
for an interview with Mr. Harmon; and in a short time afterwards the New
York financier announced to his family that they would leave Rainbow
Lodge within the next few days. Fortunately Joe Dawson had disappeared
and Jim was spared this additional annoyance.

Early one morning Ruth came down late to breakfast at the rancho to find
a note from Jim saying he had been called away for the day and asking
her to wait up for him until he got back that night.

Ralph Merrit and Frank Kent had finished eating and were deep in the
consideration of the newest and most approved methods of placer mining.
A hydraulic monitor was to be set up and Rainbow Creek dammed so that
the water could be piped to the workings. Already negotiations had been
started with a neighbor for a part of his water supply, so that the
cattle business of the ranch need not be given up.

For the moment Jean, Olive and Frieda were listening to the conversation
of the boys. It was most unusual, for the greater part of their time was
now devoted to an endless discussion of what they would do when they
were rich. But the ranch girls' idea of wealth was limited. Jean, who
had the most gifted imagination of the four, had only conceived of a
fortune of about ten thousand dollars.

"How's Jack, Ruth?" Jean inquired, as soon as their chaperon entered the
breakfast room. "You are so late I feel kind of worried."

"Jack's all right," Ruth answered.

"Then tell her we are awfully sorry to leave her again to-day, but some
of the new machinery has just arrived, and Frank and Ralph have promised
to explain it to us. We won't be back until after lunch," Jean ended.

Ruth frowned. "Jack is pretty tired of just _my_ society," she said.
"You girls are away nearly all of the time. Don't you think we could
think of something to amuse her? Everybody else is out of doors from
breakfast till dinner and too tired at night to talk."

Jean flushed and Olive's eyes filled with tears.

"I'll not leave the house, Ruth," Olive replied. "I have been so excited
lately it has never dawned on me that I was neglecting Jack. I don't see
how I can have been so selfish!"

"I wish I could stay too, Miss Ruth," Frank Kent added; "but with Mr.
Colter away I can't leave Me