"You would be, of course. You are used to an active outdoor life, and
I suppose the boys couldn't get round to see you very often."

"I wasn't thinking of the boys," he meditated aloud.

Arlie blushed; and to hide her embarrassment she called to Jimmie, who
was passing: "Bring up Lieutenant Fraser's Teddy. I want him to see
how well we're caring for his horse."

As a diversion, Teddy served very well. Horse and owner were both
mightily pleased to see each other. While the animal rubbed its nose
against his coat, the ranger teased and petted it.

"Hello, you old Teddy hawss. How air things a-comin', pardner?" he
drawled, with a reversion to his Texas speech. "Plumb tickled to death
to meet up with yore old master, ain't you? How come it you ain't
fallen in love with this young lady and forgot Steve?"

"He thinks a lot of me, too," Arlie claimed promptly.

"Don't blame you a bit, Teddy. I'll ce'tainly shake hands with you on
that. But life's jest meetin' and partin', old hawss. I got to take
you away for good, day after to-morrow."

"Where are you going?" the girl asked quickly. Then, to cover the
swift interest of her question: "But, of course, it is time you were
going back to your business."

"No, ma'am, that is just it. Seems to me either too soon or too late