The talk ceased abruptly as Jim Barrows came up from the house. He walked with a firm step and seemed to have fully recovered his strength.
“You’re to start herdin’ in the southeast section,” Lefty told him.
“I’ll ride out that way with you after breakfast,” Connie said quickly. “I thought I might go over to the Bradshaw ranch.”
The stranger nodded and followed Lefty to the corrals. He roped his own horse and did it neatly the girl observed. By the time she had finished breakfast he was ready to start and had saddled Silvertail for her.
As they rode along, Connie kept stealing quick glances at her companion. She could not figure him out. Lefty had been right in saying that he was no tenderfoot. But who was he?
Connie might have asked a number of direct questions, but she did not. After all, Jim Barrows’ business was his own, she thought. She had no call to inquire into his private life.
At the Forks the girl said good-bye and rode on toward the Bradshaw ranch where she hoped to renew her friendship with Enid.
“It’s three long years since we’ve seen each other,” she thought. “I imagine we’ve both changed a great deal.”
Connie unhooked the gate without dismounting and galloped up the lane to the ranch house. The sound of hoofbeats brought both Enid and her father to the door.
“Connie!” cried Enid, rushing out to meet her. “My, but it’s good to see you again.”