even in the uncombed West make its claims upon unmarried young
women of respectability. She had with her for the present
fourteen-year-old Ida Henderson, but this arrangement was merely
temporary.

Wherefore on the morning after her arrival Helen had sent two
letters back to "the States." One of these had been to Mrs.
Winslow, a widow of fifty-five, inviting her to come out on a
business basis as housekeeper of thc Lazy D. The buxom widow had
loved Helen since she had been a toddling baby, and her reply was
immediate and enthusiastic. Eight days later she had reported in
person. The second letter bore the affectionate address of Nora
Darling, Detroit, Michigan. This also in time bore fruit at the
ranch in a manner worthy of special mention.

It was the fourth day after Ned Bannister had been carried back
to the Lazy D that Helen Messiter came out to the porch of the
house with a letter in her hand. She found her foreman sitting on
the steps waiting for her, but he got up as soon as he heard the
fall of her light footsteps behind him.

"You sent for me, ma'am?" he asked, hat in hand.

"Yes; I want you to drive into Gimlet Butte and bring back a
person whom you'll find at the Elk House waiting for you. I had
rather you would go yourself, because I know you're reliable."

"Thank you, ma'am. How will I know him?"

"It's a woman--a spinster. She's coming to help Mrs. Winslow.