“You didn’t act as though you felt that way,” retorted his “best and only friend.” “I came here for you, and you had motored with that man to the ranch. That’s how you broke your heart over being here alone.”
“Aw, don’t say that, Mrs. Alexandeh, because you do not know how the fellaw coaxed me to go and keep him company,” explained Algy.
There was no time to say more at that time, since all had to hurry to change cars. And Algy’s shallow mind soon forgot the complaint he had to make in exoneration of his leaving Williams.
Mrs. Alexander maintained a dignified silence all the rest of the train-ride to Prescott, because she felt that Algy must be trained to realize that she was the one to order and plan. Algy, never-the-less, seemed not to miss her conversation because he was preoccupied in watching Jack and the girls.
The three days spent in sight-seeing around Prescott were enjoyable ones, and the entire party also made trips to many points a distance from the town. The roads were excellent, and the weather continued as mild as though it were summer instead of December. One of the auto trips made at that time was along the Cherry Creek road, thence along the Rio Verde to Camp Verde.
From Camp Verde, Mr. Dalken had the chauffeurs drive them on to Crown King, where he wished to inspect certain parcels of land offered for sale. As the vicinity of Crown King had recently developed rich mineral deposits, it behooved these careful investors to examine the truth of such reports.
Mr. Belnord arrived in Prescott the evening of the third day of the Dalken’s party visit there. The success of his trip to Chicago made a gala night of his appearance with the recorded deeds, and the elderly men of the party joined in the dancing with the younger generation with such vim that they soon wilted.
During the next two days at the hotel, a budget of letters arrived for the members of the touring party. These letters had been forwarded from one place to another all along the line, and now, ten days later, they were delivered to the right persons.
Polly received more personal letters than any one of her friends, but then, it was remembered that Tom would be sure to mail her a letter every day, even though it contained but the one oft-repeated sentiment: “I love you. Will you marry me, Polly?” These easily recognized letters were left to the very last, however, and Polly eagerly read the communications from her friends in the East.
“Oh, girls, girls!” exclaimed she, having read half through one of her New York letters. “Guess the news—it’s wonderful!”