“That’s fine, Jimmy!” Juan exclaimed. “But will they believe it?”
“I don’t know. If you think it is too risky, suppose you promise to marry me right now, and let me hurry back?”
“You’re joking, now, Jimmy,” the girl answered promptly. “You must save your lies and jokes till you get back to camp. Maybe they’ll believe them.”
The door opened, and a handsome gentleman stepped out upon the porch.
“Father,” the girl said, as they both rose to their feet, “this is Mr. James Gannaway, from the aviation camp where brother is.”
“I welcome you, young man,” Mr. Chieniere exclaimed cordially. “I wish you were my son come in from the camp.”
“I wish so, too,” Jim said simply, and his words held a meaning which the father did not get.
IV
THE FLYING CLUB
When Skeeter Butts returned to the Hen-Scratch saloon, he found his three friends at the table, listening with the most intense interest to the speech of the stranger recently arrived among them, Red Cutt.
They were so intent upon his words that Skeeter regretted his absence from the saloon. He felt that he had missed something of the utmost importance, for he had never seen his three friends more excited than they were at that particular moment. Skeeter paused at the door and listened. Red Cutt was speaking.