“All right, seh. You’re the doctor. Give me an interest in that map and I’ll prospect the mine this summer, if I can locate it.”
“Good enough, and I’ll finance the proposition. You and Dave can take half-shares in the property. In the meantime, are you open to an engagement?”
“Depends what it is,” replied Bucky cautiously.
“My foreman’s quit on me. Gone into business for himself. I’m looking for a good man. Will you be my major-domo?”
Bucky’s heart leaped. He had been thinking of how he must report almost immediately to HurryUp Millikan, of the rangers. Now, he could resign from that body and stay near his love. Certainly things were coming his way.
“I’d like to try it, seh,” he answered. “I may not make good, but I sure would like to have a chance at it.”
“Make good! Of course you’ll make good. You’re the best man in Arizona, sir,” cried Webb extravagantly. He wheeled on his new-found daughter. “Don’t you think so, Frankie?”
Frances blushed, but answered bravely: “Yes, sir. He makes everything right when he takes hold of it.”
“Good. We’re not going to let him get away from us after making us so happy, are we, mother? This young man is going to stay right here. We never had but one son, and we are going to treat him as much like one as we can. Eh, mother?”
“If he will consent, Webb.” She went up to the ranger and kissed his tanned cheek. “You must pardon an old woman whom you’ve made very happy.”