  The boys took turns carrying the heavy box back to the cars and the girls walked three abreast, laughing joyfully in their efforts to keep each other from stumbling in the sand. They whispered together just before they passed through the rock gate and when the boys turned toward them, after having stored the box safely under the seat of the Deputy Sheriff’s car, Mary made a bow and said, “We’ve forgotten what verse it is, but we’ll sing for you anyway.” Then merrily Dora and Etta joined her: “Three girl sleuths you now behold Who have helped you find the gems and gold. Come, come, coma, Coma, coma, kee. To Phantom Town For a cup of tea.” “Which means,” Mary interpreted, “that it’s noon by the sun and I’m sure we’re all hungry. I told Carmelita to make an extra large tamale pie.” Then, before anyone could reply, Mary added mischievously: “Dick, I’m going to ride in the rumble with you.” Harry chivalrously bowed to the girl nearest him, saying, “May I have the pleasure?” It was Etta and she flashed him a bright smile of acceptance. “Poor Jerry!” Dora condoned as she took the seat beside the cowboy. “Some imp has got into Mary.” But the glance that he gave her was far more pleased than disturbed. Carmelita welcomed them at the kitchen door with a beaming smile that revealed her gleaming white teeth. Jerry introduced the air scout who surprised the girls by replying in perfect Spanish. “I’m green with envy!” Dora told him. “I’m going to study Spanish next fall if it’s taught at our Sunnybank Seminary.” “So you two are going back East to school this fall,” Harry said as they seated themselves around the kitchen table, cheerful with its red cloth and steaming tamale pie. “Yes,” Mary nodded brightly. “Dad is well enough to go with me, Mrs. Farley says. Jerry has one more year over at the State University and Dick is going back East to study medicine. Oh, I forgot to say that Mrs. Farley is going to stay with us and help me take care of Dad. We three are going to rent a little house near Dora’s home.” The conversation changed to the box. “I’m eager to know what is in it,” Mary said. “I wanted Little Bodil to be the one to open it,” Jerry explained. “How shall we get it to her?” Etta asked. “I have a suggestion,” Harry said. “It will end the suspense sooner than any other way.” “What? Do tell us!” came in eager chorus. “Guess,” Harry turned to Mary. “You will take the box in your Seagull.” “Right you are,” Harry told her. Then to Jerry, “If Etta would like to fly over with me, I’d be glad to have company.” “Oh, I’d love to fly,” Etta said, “but I ought not to be the one; surely you, Mary, or Dora—” “We can all go up later,” said Jerry. As they were about to start, Jerry drew Harry aside and said: “You understand we want Etta to believe the plan comes from Sister Theresa.” Harry nodded. When he was in the car, Jerry called: “When you come back, you can land in the barnyard at Bar N. We’ll all be there.” “Oh, what fun that will be!” Mary flashed a bright smile at Jerry; then taking Dora by the hand, she skipped indoors. When they rejoined Jerry and Dick, after telling Mrs. Farley where they were going, the cowboy assisted the fair shining-eyed girl up on the front seat and sat beside her. There was wistfulness in Jerry’s tones when he spoke. “I reckon you’re mighty pleased that your dad’s well enough to go back East.” Mary’s eyes were glad bits of June blue skies. “Pleased isn’t a joyful enough word.” When they came to the long road that crossed over the desert for many miles without a curve, she whispered, “Jerry, let’s fly across.” The cowboy shook his head. “I reckon you’ve forgotten what happened once before—” “No, I haven’t.” Then suddenly changing the subject, she asked, “How long before the Seagull will get to Bar N, do you suppose?” “I reckon soon after we do,” Jerry said. Dick scanned the sky. Far away there was a speck growing larger. Lower and lower the circling Seagull dropped, then landed gracefully and easily. Before the others could reach them, Harry had helped Etta out of the pit. A small boy clambered out without help. “All is well!” Dora said to Dick. “Sister Theresa has given little Jack to Etta.” “Oh, it was simply too wonderful for words,” Etta told the girls. “We went so high that the mountain ranges looked like, well, a row of tents, maybe.” Then, as Jackie nestled close to her, she told what had happened. “There was real gold money in that box and Government bonds and beautiful blue gems. Harry took it all to the bank that looks after the convent’s finances, and, oh, I guess you’re wondering why little Jack is here. Sister Theresa asked me if I’d be willing to let him live with us.” “I’m ever so glad for the little fellow,” Mary hurried to say. “And now,” she added, whirling to look from one to another, “if no one is too tired, I want to ride up to Jerry’s own ranch. I want to look at the view from there before I go.” Dora and Dick exchanged puzzled glances. They were sure that Mary’s flushed excitement had something to do with her plan, but what? Harry was enthusiastic as they rode in the shade of the trees. “What a place for a summer home,” he exclaimed, “so cool and restful.” Mary and Jerry were some distance ahead. They reached the far-flung ledge where the cowboy had said he someday planned to build a house. Riding close to him, the fair girl asked, “Big Brother, when are you going to build a house here?” “Never,” the cowboy said, “unless someday you’ll be willing to make a real home of it.” Mary put a frail hand on the brown one that held the reins. “Please start the house,” she said in a low happy voice. “I’ll be ready as soon as I graduate next June.” |
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