She was a picture of animation, as they cantered away together,--graceful, alert, eager for the fun, her pretty cheeks glowing and her eyes laughing. His bright eyes were dancing too; and his frank face was flushing, from the thrill of blended emotions that were stirring his heart. Eagle and Brownie seemed to sense that something unusual was in the air, but they both held their nerves responsive to their riders’ wills. “Get ready,” cried Dick. They turned their horses toward the north, riding in that direction a few rods; then they whirled close together, and the little animals leaped back, head to head across the line; and head to head they stayed as they flashed along the track. Alta’s hat flew off, her hair was flying in the breeze. They both were leaning forward in excitement and eagerness as the fleet little horses strained every nerve and muscle to win. The cowboys yelled their wild delight to see them coming, nose to nose, nearer and nearer, heads low, hoofs fluttering, the result in doubt until almost at the finish, when Alta cried, “Win, Eagle, win!” The little dapple-gray pony leaped in response, and forged half a neck ahead of his glossy brown rival, and he held this slight lead till they shot over the line, past the excited faces of the yelling cowboys crowded close to see the finish. The riders gradually slowed down to an easy gallop, then turned round together to canter back. “Fine!” cried Fred; “I’m so glad you won.” “I said I would; but you certainly gave us a close chase. Oh, wasn’t it fun?” She threw another joyous smile at him; her eyes were dancing with delight, as they rode up to the cheering crowd. The losers were as happy as the winners. The race was worth the money. And they really wanted her to win, for Alta was a great favorite among them. “You’re full of grit and ginger, little gal,” said Jim, reaching out his big hand. “A regular trump,” said Sally, giving her a big squeeze. “A quane o’ hearts!” put in Pat gallantly. “Oh, thank you, thank you! It was heaps o’ fun,” responded Alta; “and now I want you all to have some more fun. Will you come to our dance to-night? Everybody is invited.” “We’ll sure be there!” shouted the boys, as the girls turned to gallop away. “I speak for the first dance with you, Miss Morgan,” said Dick. “You may have it,” responded Alta, laughingly,--“to pay for giving us such a fine start. Good-by.” They waved their hands at the admiring group of boys and dashed away. An ugly, jealous look flashed out of Bud Nixon’s eyes when Dick spoke up so smartly to get first place that night with Alta. “You’d better go a little slow around that gal, pardner; er ye might strike some tr-trouble,” he said, threateningly. “If you’re lookin’ fer trouble, old man,” retorted Dick, “you can find it any time you want it.” “Here, cut your cussin’,” said Jim, “and have another one on me. You beat us all right, Nixon, but we’re game yet.”