Tally chuckled as he handed her the pole and tackle. And the girl sped away to join Joan, who was on her way to the water.
Mr. Gilroy had heard a stranger’s voice in conversation with Julie and now he appeared at the camp fire. “Well, for goodness’ sake!” exclaimed he, when he saw who the stranger was.
Sanderson laughed and flushed, as if all the world must know the true reason for his being there. He explained about the wrong trail and then described the attractions of the Red River trail.
“Why, that’s great! We’ll all go this way if you have the time to trail with us,” was Mr. Gilroy’s hearty endorsement.
Joan and Julie seemed to have bad luck with the fish that morning, but the truth of the matter was that Julie could not keep quiet. She was too full of merry gossip about the good-looking Ranger who had appeared so unexpectedly in camp.
“You know, Jo, he kept looking at me all the time he explained, till even Tally could see what was doing!” giggled Julie, casting for a trout in a spot that looked promising.
“He is so tall and handsome, Julie, that I am almost jealous of you,” declared Joan, her interest entirely engaged by the hope of an imminent romance instead of the duty of fishing for the present need.
“He certainly seems to be all eyes for me, doesn’t he?” was Julie’s laughing reply. “I am not quite at ease when he is around, Jo. Now, Phil Morton, the associate editor on our home paper—you know, the one who thought I was just cut out for a journalist—showed very plainly how much he liked me, but he wasn’t forever staring at me and afraid to speak.”
Joan tittered. “Give Sandy time, Jule; we only met him yesterday, remember. Most of our afternoon up on Raton passed while the Ranger was away hunting for food. He only had a few short opportunities in which to take note of your charms.”
“Oh, stop your nonsense!” retorted Julie, whipping the trout-line back and forth in the water.