to say: "And this--is the home of the Editor of the _Weatherbee
Record_ and Mrs. Daniels."

They did not at once grasp his meaning, and the prospector made it clear
as they went up to the veranda. "The house is a wedding present from Mrs.
Banks," he said; "and Mr. Bailey, here, put up the lot, so's I thought
this would come in handy; it will take quite a bunch of furniture."

There was a silent moment while Geraldine stood regarding the envelope he
had put in her hand. She was looking her best in a trim, tailored suit of
gray. There was a turquoise facing to the brim of her smart gray hat, but
her only ornaments were a sorority pin fastened to the lapel of her coat
and a gold button that secured her watch in the small breast pocket made
for it. At last she looked up, an unusual flush warmed her face, and she
began: "It's perfectly lovely of you--we are so surprised--we never can
thank you enough."

But Jimmie turned away. He stood looking down the valley in the direction
of that place, not very far off, where his mother had carried water up the
steep slope in the burning desert sun. His forehead creased; he closed his
lips tight over a rising sob. Then Geraldine laid her hand on his arm. "Do
you understand what these people have done for us?" she asked
unconventionally. "Did you hear?"

Jimmie swung around. His glance met Annabel's. "I can't explain how I feel
about it," he burst out, "but I know if my mother could have been here
now, it--this--would have paid her for all--she missed. I don't deserve
it--but Geraldine does; and I pledge myself to stay by the _Weatherbee
Record_ as long as you want me to. I don't see how I can help making
good."

Then Annabel, winking hard, hastily led the way over the house; and,
presently, when the party returned to the table in the veranda, and the
Japanese boy she had brought from the ranch house was successfully passing
the fried chicken, she wanted to know about the wedding.

"Yes, we tried to have it quiet," responded Jimmie, "and we planned it so
the taxi would just make our train; but the fellows caught on and were
waiting for us at the station, full force, with their pocketfuls of rice
and shoes. They hardly let us get aboard."

"Gracious!" exclaimed Annabel. "You might as well have been married in
church. You'd have looked pretty in a train and veil," she said,
addressing Geraldine, who was seated on her right. "Not but what you don't
look nice in gray. And I like your