“I said I would; but you certainly gave us a close chase. Oh, wasn’t it fun?” She threw another joyous smile at him; her eyes were dancing with delight, as they rode up to the cheering crowd. The losers were as happy as the winners. The race was worth the money. And they really wanted her to win, for Alta was a great favorite among them.
“You’re full of grit and ginger, little gal,” said Jim, reaching out his big hand.
“A regular trump,” said Sally, giving her a big squeeze.
“A quane o’ hearts!” put in Pat gallantly.
“Oh, thank you, thank you! It was heaps o’ fun,” responded Alta; “and now I want you all to have some more fun. Will you come to our dance to-night? Everybody is invited.”
“We’ll sure be there!” shouted the boys, as the girls turned to gallop away.
“I speak for the first dance with you, Miss Morgan,” said Dick.
“You may have it,” responded Alta, laughingly,—“to pay for giving us such a fine start. Good-by.”
They waved their hands at the admiring group of boys and dashed away.
An ugly, jealous look flashed out of Bud Nixon’s eyes when Dick spoke up so smartly to get first place that night with Alta.