“Didn’t see what good it would do to worry you. We might have made it if the bottom hadn’t fallen out of the cattle market. Lost a thousand dollars on our last shipment.”
“My father always made money from this ranch. It’s considered one of the best in New Mexico.”
“Times have changed since your Dad was alive, Miss Connie. Most of the smart ranchers have gone into the Dude business.”
“Then why can’t we do the same?” demanded Connie. “The ranch house would hold at least a dozen guests. If necessary we could build on an extra wing and——”
“It takes money to make improvements, Miss Connie.” The foreman spoke with a slight sneer which was not lost upon the girl.
“Can’t we raise even a few hundred dollars? That would be enough to get us started.”
“We can’t raise a dime—not a dime. Our credit has been stretched to the limit. Fact is, there’s a note coming due for fifteen hundred dollars at the First National—that’s next month. If you’re not able to meet it, I’m afraid you’re going to lose the ranch, Miss Connie.”
Connie stared at the foreman thoughtfully. She had not realized that matters could be so bad.
“You should have told me about it months ago,” she murmured.
“No one could have done a better job than I of managing this ranch,” the foreman snapped. “I’ve worked night and day at the job. I’ve even advanced my own money to pay interest on the ranch debts. My own salary hasn’t been paid for months!”