“Leave him with me!” she cried, stretching out a hand imploringly, “Oh, leave him with me—please! I’d take such good care of him.” But Brand Fair shook his head. “It does not seem advisable, much as I appreciate your offer. I cannot tell you how much I do appreciate it—but—I don’t want any one to know that I have Sonny—that he is in the country at all.” Nance gazed at him wonderingly. “I don’t understand it,” she said slowly, “but you know best. Perhaps it is best that I don’t understand.” “Perhaps,” said Fair; “but I hope you’ll come to see us often—maybe some day you’ll take a ride with us up to the head of Blue Stone. I do quite a bit of exploring around and about. Will you come?” Nance’s face flushed with frank pleasure. “Why, I’d love it,” she said. “We’ll cut up through Little Blue and I’ll show you Grey Spring and the Circle. Bud and I named them. We found them three years ago.” “Then we’ll consider ourselves engaged, eh, Sonny?” smiled Fair. “Engaged to Miss Allison for a long day’s ride?” “And will you bring some more cookies?” asked the boy lifting eager eyes to his adored. “Honey,” said Nance, kneeling to kiss him good-bye, since she was making ready to leave, “Nance’d bring you anything she’s got or could get. She’ll bring us all a whole big lunch.” “Old-timer,” said Fair severely, “I’m ashamed of you. We’ll furnish some fish ourselves.” He held out a hand and the girl laid her own in it. For a little space they stood so, smiling into each other’s eyes and neither knew that magic was working among the gathering shadows. They seemed to be old friends, as if they had known each other ages back, and the grip of their hands was a kindly thing, familiar. Then a sudden confusion took the girl and she drew her fingers quickly away. “I’ll come,” she said, “next week—on Tuesday morning—early.” “Good,” said Fair, “we’ll be all ready.” CHAPTER X THE SEVENTH SENSE They were as good as their word, and when Nance rode up the narrow defile on the day and hour appointed, they were waiting, fresh and neat as abundant water and their worn garments would permit. Sonny wore denim overalls a shade less ragged and a little shirt with sleeves. His face shone like the rising sun from behind Fair’s shoulder as they sat decorously mounted on Diamond. “The out-riders wait the Princess,” said Fair, “good morning, Miss Allison.” “Did you bring cookies?” queried the boy eagerly, “we’ve got the fish!” “Good morning,” answered Nance, “sure I did, Sonny. And other things, too. We’ll be good and hungry by noon time.”