Part 15 (1/2)

Ike grinned feebly. But he was feeling better. He had actually forgotten his feet-even in Sally's presence. Jennie Stone, although an all too solid bit of humanity, was remarkably light upon her feet when it came to dancing. Indeed, she was so good a dancer that she steered Ike over the floor to such good purpose that he-as well as other people-began to believe that Bashful Ike was no more awkward than the next man off the range.

”Why, Ruthie!” whispered Madge Steele, who was the next ”victim” in line. ”Ike is a regular Beau Brummel beside some of these fellows. Look at Heavy steering him around! And look at the teacher watching them.

Humph! young lady I believe you're got a 'great head on you,' to quote Master Bobbie.”

”Now, you be real nice to him, Madge,” Ruth urged.

”Of course I shall, child,” replied Miss Steele, with her most ”grown-uppish” air. ”He's nice anyway; and if we can 'wake teacher' up to his importance, I'll gladly do my part.”

”If it only gives him a grain of confidence in himself, I shall be satisfied,” declared Ruth. ”That is what Ike lacks.”

The foreman of Silver Ranch was coming out pretty strong, however. The Virginia Reel was the favorite dance, and when Helen stopped playing the applause was so great, that she responded with a repet.i.tion of the whole figure; so Ike and Heavy continued on the floor for a much longer period, and the big cowpuncher gained more ease of manner. When they ceased dancing the stout girl led her escort right into the clutches of Madge Steele.

Now, Madge was taller than the schoolmistress and in her city-made gown looked years older. The boys were rather afraid of Madge when she ”put on the real thing,” as her brother inelegantly expressed it, for she seemed then quite a young lady grown!

”I really believe you Western men are gallant, Mr. Stedman,” she announced. ”Chivalrous, and unafraid, and bold, and all that. I am deeply disappointed.”

”How's that, Miss?” exclaimed poor Ike.

”I haven't had an invitation to dance yet,” pursued Madge. ”If I had scarletina, or the measles-or even the mumps-I do not think I should be more avoided by the male portion of the a.s.sembly. What do you suppose is the matter with me, Mr. Stedman?”

”Why, I-I--”

Ike was on the verge of declaring that he would find her a partner if he had to use a gun to get one to come forward; but he was inspired for once to do the right thing. He really bowed before Madge with something of a flourish, as the tinkle of the violin strings began again.

”If you think you can stand _me_, Miss Steele,” declared the big foreman, ”I'd be near about tickled to death to lead you out myself.”

”You are very good,” said Madge, demurely. ”But are you sure-I think that pretty little teacher is looking this way. You are not neglecting any old friends for _me_ I hope, Mr. Stedman?”

Ike's face flamed again furiously. He stole a glance at Sally d.i.c.kson, who had just refused Jimsey for a partner-and with sharpness.

”I'm pretty sure I'll be a whole lot better off with you, Miss,” he admitted. ”Jest now, especially.”

Madge's ringing laugh caught Sally's ear, as the Eastern girl bore the foreman of Silver Ranch off to join the next set of dancers. The teacher did not dance that number at all.

Mrs. ”Jule” Marvin, the young and buxom wife of the owner of the Two-Ten Ranch, caught Ike's hand and whispered loudly:

”I never suspected you was such a heart-breaker, Ike. Goodness me!

you're dancing every dance, and with a new partner each time. I haven't got to be left out in the cold just because I'm married to Tom, I hope?

He can't dance with that game leg, poor old man! You going to save a dance for me, Ike?”

”Suah's your bawn, honey!” responded the foreman, who was beginning to enjoy his prominence and had known Mrs. Jule for years. ”The next one's yours if you say the word.”

”You're my meat, then, Ike,” declared the jolly Western matron, as she glided away with her present partner.

So there was a little rift in Ruth Fielding's scheme, for Ike danced next with the ranchman's wife. But that pleased the girl from the Red Mill and her fellow conspirators quite as well. Ike was no neglected male ”wall-flower.” Sally only skipped one dance; but she watched the big foreman with growing wonder.

A rest was due Helen anyway; and Bob Steele was at hand with his never-failing harmonica. ”The heart-rending strains,” as Madge termed the rather trying music from the mouth-organ, were sufficiently lively for most of the party, and the floor was filled with dancers when Helen captured Ike and he led her into a set just forming.