ad hastened to meet the other two. "Why, Jess, how charming you
look this morning."

"Meaning that you notice the contrast with other mornings," laughed Jess
merrily; "oh, Roy, you are not a courtier."

"No, I guess not yet--whatever a courtier may be," was the laughing
rejoinder; "but I always like to pay deserved compliments."

"Oh, that's better," cried Jess; "but have you heard anything more from
Mr. Bell?"

For, of course, Jimsy and Jess by this time knew about the visit of the
mining man. Mr. Bancroft had looked up his standing and character and had
found both of the highest. On his advice Roy had about decided to accept
the unique offer made him by the Western millionaire.

Peggy shook her head in response to Jess's question.

"No, dear, not one word," she said; "isn't it queer? However, I guess we
shall, before long. Oh, I do hope that that poor old hermit turns out to
be Mr. Jim Bell's brother."

"So do I, too," agreed Jimsy. "It would be jolly for you and Roy to think
that you and your aeroplane had been the means of righting such a
succession of mishaps."

"Indeed it would," agreed Peggy, warmly; "but now come into the house and
have some ice cream. It's one sign of our new prosperity that we are
never without it now."

"I've eaten so much of it I'm ashamed to look a freezer in the face,"
laughed Roy, as they trooped in, to be warmly welcomed by Miss Prescott.

In the midst of their merry feast the sound of wheels was heard and a rig
from the station drove up. Out of it stepped a venerable old gentleman in
a well-fitting dark suit, with well blackened shoes and an altogether
neat and prosperous appearance.

Peggy and Jess who had run to the window at the sound of wheels saw him
assisted to the ground by a younger man whom they both recognized with a
cry of astonishment.

"Mr. Jim Bell. But who is the old gentleman?"

"Why it's--it's the hermit!" cried Roy.

"Good gracious, is that fashionable looking old man a hermit?" gasped
Jimsy.

"He was, I guess, but he won't be any more," laughed Peggy, happily, as
she tripped to the door to welcome the visitors. The Prescotts had a maid
now; but Peggy preferred to be the first to greet the newly united
brothers for it was evident that Jim Bell's quest had been successful.

What greetings there were to be sure, when the two brothers were inside
the cool, shady house! The old hermit's eyes gleamed delightedly as he
gallantly handed Miss Prescott to a