eyes glowed into his like beckoning stars.

"We stroll," he gravely announced, responding to the pressure of
her fingers, but at the same time feeling somewhat guilty as Bill
rolled his eyes fearfully at Brick.

When they were a few yards from the trees Lahoma whispered, "Make
for the other side of Turtle Hill. I want to feel grown up when I
do my strolling, but I'm nothing but a little barefooted kid when
Brick and Bill are looking at me!"

Hidden by the shoulder of the granite hill island she stopped,
withdrew her hand, and stood very straight as she said, with
breathless eagerness, "Answer me quick! Wilfred: ain't I old enough
to be a sweetheart?"

"Oh, Lahoma," he protested warmly, "please don't think of it. Don't
be anybody's until--until I say the word. You couldn't understand
such matters, dear, you wouldn't know the--the proper time. I'll
tell you when the time comes."

She looked at him keenly. "Am I to wait for a time, or for a
person? I wish you'd never met that girl back East I think you'd
have filled the bill for me, because, having always lived here in
the mountains, I've not learned to be particular. Not but what I've
seen lots of trappers and squatters in my day, but I never wanted
to stroll with them. I don't see why that eastern girl ever turned
you loose from her trap. I think a man's a very wonderful thing;
especially a young man--don't you, Wilfred?"