other was seated and r

ly

Miss

t address you with the prefix that dignifies this stage of your life, although I seem to kn

letter to her, as most of it concerns her and her family directly

n Denver this fall. When a friend in Chicago wrote me to find a good home in the mountains near Denver where I can stay with and tutor his dau

rself think well of my

also, towards preparing

a short time each day

up in he

ss-mate of the boys. The younger girl, Eleanor, who is your age, had been very ill and the doctor ordered her to Denver because of the wonderful air. Her sister, who

ter from the father last week, asking me to find a mountain resort for this summer where he could send the girls, as Nolla need

day I had a letter from the mother who cannot go with her daughters for the summer, so she asked me to go with them, more as a friend and adviser than as

back of the kitchen, so that three girls could have comfortable quarters. If, by any chance, your mother would consent to take us in for the summer, I could help you with your prepar

causes be on the grounds of the extra work we might create, because we do not want any fussing, whatever,

y hope your father and mother will allow us to come, and I can promise you that you will enjoy these girls very much. The ter

to try us, at any rate, and so, hoping

ur since

STE

e had never said a word about it. It was very evident that this girl had an intimate acquaintance with the home-life at Pebbly Pit, and this knowledge must have reached her through John. Hence John and she must be very well acquainted. John would doubtless marry some day, but his mother did not care to see him entangled before he had launched his bark on the w

ne Stewart is p

ve," replied Mrs. Brewster,

et them come here

rangers come suddenly to live at a ranch where city mann

p me with lessons so I can pass for High Sch

gers," remonstrated Mrs. Brewster, who would not commit he

refusing this request!" po

e reply to the letter. Now finish your dinner and do the

ved to be the sort of wife John needed, it would be advisable to have her know her future family-in-law. If she was not desirable, it would be discovered during the weeks she lived under the same roof with John's mother. But should it transpire that there was no cause for w

g so many young folks about the place

s to have young people visiting here, rather than having you leave home to visit

anything to you about the extra work, the three girls w

e to visit my old friends in Denver, this summer, but this new

don't let these girls spoil your

ter should you attend school there. I want you to board with a family that can offer you the proper atmosphere. If this young teacher proves

t Daddy will say!" cried Polly, jo

Polly; I see him coming towards t

ch her father coming nearer and nearer. Then, when

y letter!" And the missive was waved back an

ero to mop his warm forehead. "Well, Maw, did Poll tell you a

en guilty of neglect, for she had quite forgotten to ask how

give Jeb careful instructions,

e, so you-all needn't worry any more. No

rom Denver, who took Miss Shalp's place at Bear Forks

t overlooked by the rancher, but he ans

ld any one forget such

er's from her-Anne S

at! Let me read it

uded Polly and Mrs. Brewster looked fearfully at Mr. Bre

h the soft grass sod, while he seemed to study the cobbler's handiwork.

ing bride but having a son old enough to think of a sweet-heart. And little

in. "What has John got to do with this letter?

exity, and Mr. Brewster explaine

s we'd have at the ranch all summer, if

ried Polly, at the same time jumping at he

for Maw, so she can look after such a handful of troubl

o with help in such a small house? Besides, Anne Stewart s

f city girls if I know it. Why, they won't know how to hold a ki

re isn't a girl or woman to hire within fift

will hunt up a gal. You said it: you'd agree to hire h

our own about hired help," laughed his

en before, but now yo

r, triu

letter as soon as you like," hinted Mrs

approval, her parents exchanged confidences regarding John a

in Chicago and Polly Brewster in the Rockies. Had the reply been other than it was, would these two girls have met and experienced th