Part 23 (1/2)

CHAPTER XX

THE VIOLINIST AGAIN

As Allen had predicted, there was a general rush on the part of thethe ranch, and the girls congratulated theins with the glad tidings in ti the girls were in the saddle, hovering about the new gold diggings, fascinated at the way new ht

Next to those on their own property, they were ins' mine and in their hearts they would really rather have had hiold than to find it themselves

”They need it so ins and Meggy have drawn another blank I don't knohat they will do”

In the midst of all this confusion and exciteiven at the Hostess House for which she had sent hootten the hermit and it ith a shock of surprise that they re operations Before that they had run across hiy and Dan in his rather eccentric way

”Guess he must have been scared off by the crowd,” said Mollie ”Too much excite on the large front porch of the house, still in their riding habits, while their horses, at the foot of the steps, sta but the arrival of the irls fros They hardly took time to eat; and as for sleep, well, they took that in between ti room on the step beside her

”Co a bit of candy fro it into her mouth ”I'm anxious to see what that violinist's naram Mollie and Betty drew closer and peeped over her shoulder

”Concerto--Liszt,” read Grace, her finger pointing down the page ”No, that isn't it That's for the piano Hold on, here we are

Chopin--Nocturne--Paul Loup, violinist There he is Noill you please tellabout the her to the naly

”We-el,” said Betty thoughtfully, ”it doesn't help very much, I must admit It doesn't prove that Paul Loup is our Her seen him before and heard him play----”

”I tell you e'll do!” Mollie snapped her fingers decisively ”It's a long chance and it airls eagerly

”Maybe,” said Betty, noncoht tell us the idea first”

”Listen,” cried Mollie ”My idea is that if we take the hermit by surprise, call hiht of inspiration filled her eyes ”I could even speak to hi they looked at her adly

”I shouldn't wonder if that plan would work,” said Betty swiftly ”Why can't we go now? Dinner won't be ready for a couple of hours”

”Right you are,” cried Mollie, taking the four steps at one juirls, are you with us?”

”We'll have to lead 'ealloped abreast up the road ”If we don't get theet cold feet and think we're crazy”

”Maybe we are,” chuckled Mollie, urging Old Nick on to even greater speed ”I've had a suspicion that way several times before”