“Well! I’ve been going around in search of you people, but I never expected to find that you-all had turned literary so suddenly. Why all this mouselike quiet in the reading-room, and not one of you besides Gilly with a paper in your hands?”
Sanderson turned around and smiled to find his friends seated behind him. The Ranger now introduced his companion to his friends and explained his mission in the southwest. The scouts listened eagerly, for here was a political and also an ethical problem before the people of the United States, and these girls were about to visit the Indians about whom the debate had just taken place.
“Lucky no guests came in here to read quietly while you were arguing,” remarked Mrs. Vernon, laughingly.
Later, while the others were planning for the morrow’s trip, Julie got the newspaper correspondent in a corner and talked most confidentially to him. He took several sheets of closely written paper which she showed him and then he nodded with interest. Sandy, as he pretended to be listening to Mr. Vernon, watched jealously.
Joan could not hear what was said, nor would she ask her chum to confide whatever it was she seemed so interested in. After Mr. Burt left the room, Julie sat at the desk and wrote as if for dear life. Joan watched, thinking she must be sending a letter to a sweetheart in Elmertown. But which one? Joan knew Julie had no preference, though she had many admirers because of her attractive personality.
The bulky letter finished, Julie sealed it carefully and hurried to the mail-box, without a glance at her chum. Joan would not wait to meet her but ran upstairs and pretended to be sleeping when Julie came in the room.
CHAPTER SIX
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PECOS FORESTS
The addition of young Sanderson and the hustling young newspaper reporter to the scout group was hailed by the four misses, as well as approved by Mr. Gilroy and Mr. Vernon, but the Captain felt dubious over the daily association of such a handsome young Ranger in the becoming green uniform of the official forester, and the fascinating entertainer, Mr. Burt. She noted with trepidation that Julie often seemed to get the newspaper correspondent by himself and talk confidentially with him. This was unusual for Julie, and Mrs. Vernon wondered at her, but decided to withhold any comment for the present.
The atmosphere of Las Vegas is one of its most remarkable attractions. Looking off toward the Cimarron range, or the Spanish Peaks, the clarity of the air tints everything with pastel shades. One can see Pike’s Peak in central Colorado seemingly quite close at hand; and the snow-capped Northern Rockies, more than two hundred miles away, seem quite near.