"It seems that there is some sort of a right-of-way scrimmage going on
up in the mountains between our road and the Utah Short Line," said
the young man. "It was carried into the courts, and now it turns out
that the decision has gone against us."

"How perfectly horrid!" said Miss Bessie. "Now I suppose we shall have
to stay here indefinitely while Uncle Somerville does things." And
placid Mrs. Carteret added plaintively: "It's too bad! I think they
might let him have one little vacation in peace."

"Who talks of peace?" queried Virginia, driven in from her post of
vantage on the observation platform by the smoke from the
switching-engine. "Didn't I see Uncle Somerville charging across to
the telegraph office with war written out large in every line of him?"

"I am afraid you did," affirmed the Reverend Billy; and thereupon the
explanation was rehearsed for Virginia's benefit.

The brown eyes flashed militant sympathy.

"Oh, I wish Uncle Somerville would go to 'the front,' wherever that
is, and take us along!" she cried. "It would be ever so much better
than California."

The Reverend William laughed; and Aunt Martha put in her word of
expostulation, as in duty bound.

"Why, my dear Virginia--the idea! You don't know in the least what you
are talking about. I have been reading in the papers about these