Right at that moment something surprising happened. A glad light brightened the face of the little woman, and, springing up, she ran with outstretched arms toward the supposed Santa Claus, who caught her in an embrace that told the tenderness of his love for her. “It’s me Pat!”, the little woman sobbed. “Me Pat that I’ve wanted so.” Snatching off his disguise the happy Irishman gathered his little ones in his arms. A moment later Malcolm and Slick Cy appeared, and going to the amazed girls, the former said: “Our Santa Claus is not much better at play-actin’ than is dear old Uncle Tex.” “Of course not,” Virginia exclaimed, with tears in her eyes. “He couldn’t disguise his voice so that his loving little wife wouldn’t recognize it, but how did he come here? Where did you find him?” The boys then told how they had found the prospector living alone in a cabin high on Second Peak, close to the Christmas tree. “And think of it, sister,” Malcolm exclaimed excitedly. “He has truly found a paying mine, and if you and I will grubstake him, he’ll let us go shares and there’s no telling but that we may all be rich some day.” It was a long time before the excitement had subsided so that they could proceed with the merry program as it had been planned, and never before had that old roof covered so many happy hearts. CHAPTER XVIII THE MYSTERIOUS CHRISTMAS BOX The week following Christmas was filled with many events on the V. M. Ranch. Malcolm, who was greatly interested in the finding of the mine on Second Peak conferred for several hours with his sister, and finally decided that together they would grubstake Pat Mahoy in the venture. The next day the three men rode away, leaving the girls to wait anxiously Malcolm’s decision when he himself had examined the prospective mine. Mrs. Mahoy and her small brood were to remain in the adobe house indefinitely if they wished. The little woman was no longer sad, and the three children added much to the joyfulness of the Christmas season. “Oh, Virginia!” Margaret exclaimed when they turned into the ranch house after having waved farewell to Malcolm, Slick Cy and Mr. Mahoy. “I am so eager to receive our Christmas mail, but no one has been to town in ever so long. I just know that there will be a box for me from Babs. We have exchanged presents every year and I am sure that she has sent me something. How are we going to get the mail?” “I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if Slim rode in today or tomorrow,” Virginia said. “You know he has been for a week at a round-up just beyond the Junction. If he does come, he will stop for the mail.” Half an hour later when Margaret went to the veranda to shake a duster, she called excitedly: “Virg, come quick. Look way up on the mesa trail. Is that a horseman I see or is it the giant cactus?” Virginia appeared with the field glasses and after gazing through them for a moment, she exclaimed: “It surely is a horseman but he can’t be our Slim for he is much too stout.”