“Oh, I’m—so glad,” she murmured, in great relief. “I was afraid I’d have to go—all the way back. You see I’m not so strong as I used to be—and my doctor advised a change of climate—dry western air. I can’t go back now.” “You don’t look sick,” he said, with the keen eyes on her. “You look very well to me.” “Oh, indeed, I’m not very strong,” she returned, quickly. “But I must confess I wasn’t altogether truthful about my age.” “I was wondering about that,” he said, gravely. There seemed just a glint of a twinkle in his eye. “Not over forty.” Again she blushed and this time with confusion. “It wasn’t altogether a lie. I was afraid to mention I was only—young. And I wanted to get the position so much ... I’m a good—a competent teacher, unless the scholars are too grown-up.” “The scholars you’ll have at my ranch are children,” he replied. “Well, we’d better be starting if we are to get there before dark. It’s a long ride. Is this all your baggage?” Springer led her over to the buckboard and helped her in, then stowed the valise under the back seat. “Here, let me put this robe over you,” he said. “It’ll be dusty. And when we’get up on the ridge it’s cold.” At this juncture Tex came to life and he started forward. But Andy and Nevada and Panhandle stood motionless, staring at the fresh and now flushed face of the young school teacher. Tex untied the halter of the spirited team and they began to prance. He gathered up the reins as if about to mount the buckboard. “I’ve got all the supplies an’ the mail, Mr. Springer,” he said, cheerfully, “an’ I can be startin’ at once.” “I’ll drive Miss Stacey,” replied Springer, dryly. Tex looked blank for a moment. Then Miss Stacey’s clear gray eyes seemed to embarrass him. A tinge of red came into his tanned cheek. “Tex, you can ride my horse home,” said the rancher. “That wild stallion of yours!” expostulated the cowboy. “Now Mr. Springer. I shore am afraid of him.” This from the best horseman on the whole range! Apparently the rancher took Tex seriously. “He sure is wild, Tex, and I know you’re a poor hand with a horse. If he throws you, why you’ll have your own horse.” Miss Stacey turned away her eyes. There was a hint of a smile on her lips. Springer got in beside her and, taking the reins without another glance at his discomfited cowboys, he drove away. * * * * * A few weeks altered many things at Springer’s Ranch.