The Merriweather Girls in Quest of Treasure

t was a stage set for a play. Palm trees and many flowering plants grew in profusion and The Merr

been neglected for years before Judge Breck

she cried as she clasped her hands together. "Just think of being miles and miles

You are a lucky girl, Enid. Yo

smiled as she ga

ned to add: "Of course you appreciate

that tears stood in her eyes. "I'd like to stay

at, of course, but it's too much like a hothouse to

ed in by two young Chinese boys, Tang himself being too dignified to help in the serving. When he wanted to give an

the face of Tang as he glided softly about the veranda; a well satisfied air expressed his content with life. He

red Shirley in Bet's e

ion dollars-or mayb

d the attention of the servants without the least

rve. He hailed Tang as if he were an old friend, and the dignified Chinaman placed the pillows on a reclining chair which awaited Mrs. Breckenridge,

I'm sure I'll get well now. I believe al

anging and rearranging the pillows to ma

ou'll be busting broncos, as Kit says. You can't help but feel

hungrily on her daughter. Her heart had not yet been satisfied, she

doctors had tried to persuade her to leave the Long Island home where the memories of her lost daughter s

. And in finding Enid, they had found The Merriweather

aft of sunlight struck across the face of the sick woman, Tang clapped his hands sharply once more and the boys ran to his side.

ckled Joy. "Th

her camera. She had it point

re of me, yet, Shir

ait a few weeks

w. You know you do look lovely there, and besides

s. Breckenridge's cheery laug

t her. It was good to s

. Most people immediately liked him, and his childlike qualities brought out a protective feeling in ot

the Indian excavations. Not that the Judge was interested in Indian relics in

ting all sorts of things that might help her. One could see that alrea

those two," whispered Kit to Bet a

tle wistfully. While Colonel Baxter was doing his best to make up to his daughter for the lo

udge. The man had the face of a hawk, a long beak that seemed as if it were prying into the most pr

pact little woman beside him, who

s. Patten he grew confused for a moment and added: "Mrs. Patten there can tell you we're O. K. We have the

the Judge, amused at the

her, so I says to Maude, (that's the missus) we'

idge from her chair. "Do sit down, Mrs. Wicks.

with them at this time. Seeing that Mrs. Patten was getting rea

wasn't you, Mrs. Patte

et us st

it a while. It's been a long ti

were was nothing further to say. Mrs. Patte

finally he rose to go he said: "I'll be over some day and have a talk with you private-like, Judge. There's people in these mountains that you shou

round here are a fine lot. They're neighborly and kind when you're in trouble. Only last

en if they are ignorant," broke in Maude Wicks, her sharp

hered a giggle and hastily left the veranda, motioning the girls to foll

suddenly. "He disappeared an

d Kit to a boy who stood near the ranch

th surprise. "Who is he?" she wh

f the cow hands

ean a

ur

owboys! Did you notice his eyes?" Joy pulled at Ki

s, and don't be a lit

't see anything roman

don't think I ever saw such beaut

you get a little bit of sense. We don't

luck!-when I find a handsome cowboy to

oy. You're sill

he's handsome,

you're not to be seen talking to him, that

an as ugly as that fellow who just called on the Ju

it?" demanded Bet.

um around with," answered Kit. "I've known Kie Wicks ever since

crafty," s

just eaten the ca

nail down the furniture and anything that can be carried away." Bet laughed me

A large collie was coming toward them leisu

with Smiley Jim, my own dear dog. I get lonesome for Smiley some days. I do hope

mine the brass plate on his collar. "I

ing from one to the other of the girls. But a moment later

ike that pair any more

ed to growl until t

to steer clear of." Bet

as war

e appeared. "Come on over

just leaving and after promising that Kit would be allowed

of the ranch as if he had an estate. It was

ten was dancing ahead of him eager to show off Tommy's house. The boy, although a few years

the boy took off his sombr

re welcome in the castle

are proud to enter," s

re ho