“Oh, really! I thought you were going to accompany Burt to Acoma,” said Mrs. Vernon.
“No, he won’t need me there, and all the big pueblos of New Mexico have been visited. I wish I could go with you to Acoma, however, Captain. You know, it is said that one can make any good wish when first standing at the Enchanted Mesa, and it will instantly come to pass.”
“What would you wish, Sandy?” asked Joan, mischievously. “Maybe I can act as proxy for you.”
“Well, you might try it,” returned the Ranger, daringly. “I wish that a coveted friend might thaw somewhat, from the icy attitude that she maintains towards me, before I have to say good-by. There are many important matters I would discuss with this friend, but one has no inspiration when the chill is so intense as to stop my circulation.”
“That’s a good wish and I’m sure it will be answered. Anyway I promise you I shall ask it of the guardian spirits of the Mesa,” giggled Joan.
“Lots of good such a wish will do Sandy if he leaves us at Albuquerque,” said Mr. Gilroy.
“We won’t get to the Enchanted Mesa till after we have said good-by to the Ranger,” added Mrs. Vernon.
In spite of such innuendoes, Julie failed to “thaw” until the very last night of Sandy’s stay in Albuquerque. It happened that there was to be a hop at the hotel that evening, and the seven scouts had frizzed and frilled for the occasion; consequently they appeared on the scene looking very fresh and attractive—so thought several young college men who had been smoking cigarettes and talking to the Ranger. Naturally he introduced the scouts to his companions and a most enjoyable evening followed.
If a tenderfoot in the East fancies New Mexico has a climate that is hot enough to sizzle bacon on a rock, or induce a tourist to go to bed at night without sheets or blanket to cover him, that one will have another guess coming. In all the time the scouts had been in New Mexico they had not felt any too warm, even at noon-day, in their woolen shirts and khaki breeches. Now, at the hotel dance, they were decidedly cool in their light dinner gowns, and evening scarfs.
As the young people, chaperoned by the Captain, moved towards the ball-room, Sandy managed to get beside Julie and ask: “Are you not feeling cool without a wrap?”