CHAPTER XIII
A JOB
Betty rose at daybreak and got Justin Merrick on the telephone. After preliminary greetings she asked a question.
“Would it be convenient for you to come down this morning? There’s something I want to talk over with you if you have time.”
“I’ll make it convenient,” came the answer. “Anything serious happened?”
“That tramp Cig came back last night to fire the wheat. He shot Father. No, he’s not badly hurt, but—”
“I’ll be right down.”
It was like Merrick that he did not wait for breakfast. He was at the Diamond Bar K as soon as his car could bring him.
Betty set out a breakfast for him in the dining-room and waited on him herself with the aid of Ruth, who trotted back and forth with honey, syrup, and butter for his hot cakes. Miss Ruth was not exactly fond of Merrick. He did not give himself out enough. But she appreciated him. He had some good ideas about bringing her candy, teddy bears, and dolls.
When Betty had reassured her fiancé about Mr. Reed and answered such questions as he put about the fire and the man-hunt, she came to the real reason for asking him to call.
“It’s about that young man who was with the tramps,” she explained. “You offered to give him work. I wish you would, Justin. You’re so reliable. It might be a great thing for him to be under you—the very thing he needs.”