And Mrs. Clyde, mindful of a former comment of Blue Bonnet's, smiled with amusement as she replied--"Not half bad--considering her bringing-up!" Carita had lingered behind the others and now as she saw Blue Bonnet mount Comanche, she rode back and joined her. They were the last of the procession and practically alone. "It's so wonderful," Carita's small dark face was alight with pleasure, "--to think of seeing you after--everything!" They smiled into each other's eyes. Carita did not in the least resemble the Woodford girls. She wore a queer one-piece garment of blue denim, not designed for riding, which pulled up in a bunch on either side of the saddle, showing her feet in thick boyish boots, and an inch or two of much-darned stocking. On her head was an old felt sombrero, sadly drooping as to brim and dented as to crown, secured under her chin by a piece of black elastic. Below it her small face, brown and freckled as it was, was not without a singular attraction. Her eyes were big and soft, her lips scarlet as holly-berries; and the long braids were very heavy and of a glossy chestnut. In spite of her clumsy costume she rode her wiry little pinto as Western girls ride--thistle-down in the saddle. She was a bit of the prairie herself, and Blue Bonnet saw it and loved her. "When did you come?" Blue Bonnet asked her. "Yesterday. And we're to stay over Sunday. Won't we just have to cram the days full?" Carita's eyes were wistful. "For fear we sha'n't have much time alone, I want to tell you how much it has meant to me--your letters, and the dress and the Christmas box and everything. I can't begin to tell you the--difference they have made. We've always had boxes you know--father has no regular salary. But nothing ever came that was half so wonderful. Last winter wasn't a bit like others--it was full of excitement!" Blue Bonnet smiled, but she felt nearer tears than laughter. Such a little thing to mean so much! For the second time she had a feeling of thankfulness that she was--not poor. Money was certainly worth while when it could give such pleasure. If Miss Lucinda could have read the girl's mind at this moment, she might have felt some doubts as to her niece's ability to profit by the last winter's lesson in New England thrift. Blue Bonnet's only regret was that her purse which had been slipped into the missionary box, had not contained several times as much! "I was sure we'd know each other, some day--I felt it!" Carita went on in her eager way. "And I believe Knight's meeting you that day was providential!" "It was certainly providential for Sarah and me," Blue Bonnet laughed. "We'd have had a pretty spill if it hadn't been for him. But as 'all's well that ends well,' we can consider that everything has been for the best."