ck anything from me," and she caught her
chum around the shoulder and held her tightly.

"Well, if you must know, it's this: Jessie can't forget that Dave saved
Miss Ford from drowning."

"Oh, I see what you mean, Belle! You think that because Dave did that
Jessie thinks he might get more interested in her than would otherwise
be the case."

"Not exactly that, Laura. Jessie may imagine that Miss Ford is quite
interested in Dave."

[Illustration: "HELLO! HELLO! WHERE ARE YOU GOING?"--_Page
153._]

"Oh, I see!" Dave's sister was silent for a moment. "But you forget one
thing, Belle; Dave saved Jessie's life, too. Don't you remember that I
told you of it? A gasoline tank exploded, and she was in danger of being
burned to death when Dave jumped in and----"

"Oh, yes, I remember that very well, and you may be sure that Jessie
remembers it, too. But then this rescue was so much more recent."

At these words Laura grew more thoughtful than ever, and suddenly she
caught her western chum by the arm and pulled Belle into a path leading
to the dock.

"What now, Laura?"

"Oh, Belle! do you really think there is anything in that? Do you think
that is what has made Jessie act so queerly for the last couple of days?
I noticed she was not herself at all; and Dave seemed to be different,
too."

"If you want the truth of it, I do think there is some sort of a quarrel
between them. Of course, I am not sure it is on Miss Ford's account. But
they don't act as they used to."

"It's too bad!" and Laura's face showed great seriousness. "I wouldn't
have anything come between Dave and Jessie for the world!"

"It would be a great shame, there is no doubt of that," answered the
girl from the ranch.

When the pair entered the bungalow they found that Jessie had gone to
her room. She was lying on a couch, and though the light was dim, Laura
could see quite plainly that her friend had been crying.

"You poor dear!" said Dave's sister, going up and placing her hand on
Jessie's forehead. "Is your headache worse?"

"Not much, Laura," was the answer. Jessie turned over with her face
toward the wall. "I just want to be left alone awhile, and then I'll be
all right."

"Don't you want me to get you anything at all?"

"No. Just leave me alone, that's all."

Laura stood by the side of the couch for a moment. She was on the point
of speaking again. She wanted very much to relieve her mind, but
concluded that it might not be a wise thin