The girls assured Mrs. Dartley that they would be in their saddles at the hour of 3 and that good woman then bustled away to do the shopping that had brought her into town.
Malcolm returned and took his sister’s hand. “Virginia,” he said earnestly, “don’t grieve yet, I honestly believe that we are going to find Tom somewhere, unharmed and being worthy of the trust that was placed in him.”
After dining together at the Inn, Malcolm departed. When he was gone, the girls wandered out to look about the stores and make a few purchases and pass away the time until 3.
That hour at last arrived and Virginia and Margaret were waiting in their saddles, when the Dartley equipage appeared from the stables. The girls were not very talkative and the kind woman, realizing that they were greatly worried about their friend whom she herself knew little, did not expect them to talk and the long journey was made almost in absolute silence.
When the sand hills were reached, it was growing dusk. “My, but you two girls must be all tired out,” Mrs. Dartley said as her husband drew rein. “You’ve been in the saddle most all day, being as you left home before sunrise, but Uncle Tex will have a good supper waiting for you and then you get right into bed. Young folks like you two rest up easy and tomorrow you’ll be as bright as ever. Telephone to me, Virgie, if you need anything or hear any news.”
“Yes, I will Mrs. Dartley, and thank you for escorting us this far. Goodnight! Goodnight!”
Then the girls started down the trail toward V. M. through the gathering dusk. “How I do hope it will be a good night for our Tom,” Virginia said, “wherever he is.” Then, as they dismounted at the home corral, she added, “Oh, if only I were a man so that I might join in the search.”
Virginia little dreamed of the very important part she was to play even though she were only a girl.
CHAPTER XL—A SURPRISING TELEGRAM.
The next day the girls were restless; troubled by the uncertainty of it all, and anxiously waiting for news, although they had no way of hearing directly from Red Riverton. However, Malcolm had promised that he would telegraph Mr. Wells at the Junction if there were any definite news, then he could ride over and deliver it to the girls.