tinue to
work for us almost for nothing; but now that we are going to be so rich
he thinks we might like a guardian with a different history." Jack
choked in her effort to pretend indignation. "As though anything Jim
Colter ever did in the past keeps him from being the most splendid and
unselfish person in the whole world now!" she ended loyally with a look
of utter bewilderment at her companion.

Ruth leaned so near the fire that her cheeks flushed and her eyes shone
from the heat of the glowing ashes. "Do you really feel that way about
Jim, dear?" she questioned wonderingly. "I can't understand it."

"I can't understand feeling any other way, Ruth," Jack answered. "But I
know people look at things differently. And Jim said I was never to
speak of this to you or to try to influence you in any way--so please
forgive me; I never will again."

Ruth made no reply and was unchanged in her determination, although her
heart was heavy with the thought of turning her back on the Rainbow
Ranch and all the wonderful things it had meant to her. They were to
return she knew not when. Silently she slipped away, and Jack Ralston
was left alone in the firelight. Her eyes were soon closed, and in a
little while she must have been dreaming, for some one touched her and a
familiar voice said with a slow drawl: "How you feeling, boss?"

Jack pulled herself up by catching at Jim's strong hands and laughed her
old gay, teasing laugh. "You couldn't stay away, could you, pard? My,
what a bluff you are! I suppose you guessed how furiously angry we were
with you for not coming home to say good-by."

Jim laughed a little huskily. "You're right, as usual, Miss Ralston. I
couldn't let my girls go away off to New York without making them
promise to behave themselves. You must not let money and rich people
fool and spoil you until you forget all about the dear old ranch." Jim
patted Jack's hand softly. "I wasn't going to play the coward either,
Jack, now it's come to the point. I am going to tell Ruth good-by and
wish her good luck."

"Remember a motto I once said I was going to take for the Rainbow Ranch,
Jim?" Jack asked gravely. "It was 'never say die,' and if you won't
forget it, pard, I won't." And the man and girl shook hands like friends
between whom no other words were necessary.

Frieda, coming back to her sister, heard Jim's voice and raised the
alarm. In the midst of the group of laughing and enthusiastic girls Ruth
was able to gr