Part 32 (1/2)

”I was a simp, then, Jo. I had never been in love.”

”Well,” pursued Jo, ”why didn't you tell her you loved her in the first place? Maybe it would have helped. It isn't much of a compliment to a girl to hang around and not say anything.”

”Think, Jo. I supposed until Marta came, that Pen was _your_ girl. I brought her up here to see if she could be reformed for _you_. I sent you away to Westcott's until I could tell if she were worthy of you.”

”Say, Kurt, I am the simp. I never thought of that. She didn't think you really cared. Leave it to me. I'll tell her.”

”But where is she? Don't let the boys know, but Betty leaked the fact that she was going to France. I can't think she was in earnest.”

Jo whistled.

”I am beginning to get glimpses on a dark subject. I'll bet that is where he is making for, too.”

”He? Who?” he asked quickly. ”Hebler?”

”Hebler! She'd rather dodge him than you. No; I mean that aviator who landed over toward Westcott's a little while ago. I heard one of those fliers had been in town giving an exhibition. He was down to earth just about long enough to pick some one up. That was what she meant in the note she left for me when she said she was going by the Excelsior route.”

”How would she know him, and how would she get word to him to come out here?”

”She told me she spent the day in town--let me see--day before yesterday, I think it was. Said she met a man there she used to know.”

”She told me, too, she had been to town, but I thought she was only joking. I didn't believe her.”

”There's a lot you could hear about her, Kurt, that you wouldn't believe right off the bat; but it's not me who's going to put you wise. Talk to Mrs. Kingdon about her. You'll not get the chance to interview Penny Ante very soon, I imagine. In the craft she must be traveling in, there's nothing about this ranch that can overtake her, but I'll do my level best.

Let me see! She won't go to town. She'll want to keep out of Hebler's reach, of course.”

”Why?” asked Kurt. ”Do you know?”

”I know more than you do about her. A girl has to have some one to confide in and Little Penny Ante chose me. You scared her out, you know.”

Kurt winced.

”They will naturally go in an opposite direction,” pursued Jo. ”They may fly over to the next station and take the east-bound. I'll take your car.”

”No; you take the children to town, and I'll go in pursuit--”

”That'll never do. She won't try to dodge me.”

CHAPTER XV

In the little valley by Westcott's, Pen stood waiting and staring upward.

At last she heard the sharp sound of an engine and saw the plane describing a sweeping circle. It came gently down, the little wheels rolling along the gra.s.s.

”I'm in debt to Hebler,” said Larry. ”It was only your fear of him that overcame your fear of flying.”

Then looking at her, he continued, confidingly, ”I wouldn't take up the average girl, Pen, and especially one who owned up to being afraid. But I know you. You'll forget fear in the thrills. All you've got to do is to sit still, hold on and look out on the level. We won't do any swivels; just straight stuff, and you'll be as safe as you would any place.”