"Oh, woman's curiosity, you know, if you'll excuse the jest; for I really don't believe you're one bit more curious about it than anybody else here. Well, I had a funeral to attend this morning some six or seven miles from this, and then two or three sick folks to visit a little nearer here, and I thought it wouldn't be worth while to go back home before Monday. You see, I always feel sure of a welcome at Baird's Ranch."
"That's right; you need never have the least doubt of it," said his host. "And we are particularly glad to see you this time, because there's a job waiting for you here."
"Indeed!" cried the minister, elevating his eyebrows in surprise; "and what may it be? Has one of these fine boys of yours selected a wife, and is he wanting me to tie the knot?"
"Ah, your guess is not very wide of the mark," laughed Mr. Baird, "though the wedding will not be exactly in the family."
"There, father, that will do for the present," remarked his wife, perceiving that Juanita was blushing in a slightly embarrassed way; "we have the whole evening before us, and it won't take long to make all the necessary arrangements."
"You have not been long in this part of the country I presume, sir?" Mr. Clark said, inquiringly, addressing Rupert.
"I arrived only yesterday, sir," was the reply.
"Direct from Indiana?"