derson Crow. Miss Banks noticed as they passed the confused
twain at the gate that Anderson carried his dark lantern.

"Any trace of the heiress, Mr. Crow?" she asked merrily.

"Doggone it," muttered Anderson, "she'll give the whole snap away!"

"What's that?" asked 'Rast.

"Nothin' much," said Anderson, repairing the damage. "Ed's got your time
beat to-night, 'Rast, that's all!"

"I could 'a' took her out ridin' to-night if I'd wanted to," lied 'Rast
promptly. "I'm goin' to take her to the spellin'-bee to-morrow night out
to the schoolhouse."

"Did she say she'd go with you?"

"Not yet. I was jest goin' to ast her to-night."

"Mebby Ed's askin' her now."

"Gosh dern it, that's so! Maybe he is," almost wailed 'Rast; and
Anderson felt sorry for him as he ambled away from the gate and its
love-sick guardian.

CHAPTER XII

The Spelling-Bee

Young Mr. Higgins found his companion bubbling over with vivacity. Her
pretty chin was in the air and every word bore the promise of a laugh.
He afterward recalled one little incident of their walk through the
frosty night, and repeated it to Anderson Crow with more awe than seemed
necessary. They were passing the town pump on their way to the
post-office. The street was dark and deserted.

"Gosh!" said Ed, "I bet the town pump's froze up!"

"It doesn't seem very cold," she said brightly.

"Gee! it's below zero! I bet 'Rast thinks it's pretty doggone cold up
there by your gate."

"Poor 'Rast! His mother should keep him indoors on nights like this." Ed
laughed loud and long and a tingle of happiness shot through his
erstwhile shivering frame. "I'm not a bit cold," she went on. "See--feel
my hand. I'm not even wearing mittens."

Ed Higgins gingerly clasped the little hand, but it was withdrawn at
once. He found it as warm as toast. Words of love surged to his humble
lips; his knees felt a tendency to lower themselves precipitously to the
frozen sidewalk; he was ready to grovel at her feet--and he wondered if
they were as warm as toast. But 'Rast Little came up at that instant and
the chance was lost.

"Doggone!" slipped unconsciously but bitterly from Ed's lips.

"Can I be your company to the spellin'-bee to-morrow night, Miss Banks?"
burst unceremoniously from the lips of the newcomer.

"Thank you, 'Rast. I was just wondering how I should get out to the
schoolhouse. You are very kind. We'll go in the bob-sled with the
Holabirds."

"Doggone!" came in al