But something had to be done, and quickly; a new hand needed to
mend the family fortunes. Barbara determined to lend that hand.

A great change had come over the town and the whole country round
about, a change which the girl believed afforded her an
opportunity to prove that she was not a mere daughter, not an
ornament and a drag, but a real son-daughter such as Tom
considered her. Wichita Falls was overcrowded with oil man, drawn
thither by the town-site strike at Burkburnett, a few miles
northwest, and excitement was mounting as new wells continued to
come in. Central north Texas was nearing an epoch-making petroleum
boom, for Ranger, away to the south, had set the oil world by the
ears, and now this new sand at "Burk" lent color to the wild
assertion that these north counties were completely underlaid with
the precious fluid. At any rate, the price of thirsty ranch lands
was somersaulting and prosperity was apparent in the homes of all
Barbara's girl friends. Her admirers of the opposite sex could
talk of little except leases and bonuses and "production"; they
were almost too busy making money to call upon her.

Barbara knew something about oil, for she had watched the drilling
of every one of those shallow wells that had kept her in college,
and what is more, she knew most of the property owners in this
part of the state. In that advantage she believed lay her chance
of accomplishment.

After a fortnight of careful consideration she decided to enter
the oil business and deal in leases.