"Senor Dick will stay. He is not mucha malo for you--as I am."
Then she smiled and went out.
"Good Lord!" exclaimed Thorne. "How I love her. Dick, isn't she
the most beautiful, the loveliest, the finest--"
"George, I share your enthusiasm," said Dick, dryly, "but Mercedes
isn't the only girl on earth."
Manifestly this was a startling piece of information, and struck
Thorne in more than one way.
"George," went on Dick, "did you happen to observe the girl who
saved your life--who incidentally just fetched in your breakfast?"
"Nell Burton! Why, of course. She's brave, a wonderful girl, and
really nice-looking."
"You long, lean, hungry beggar! That was the young lady who might
answer the raving eulogy you just got out of your system....I--well,
you haven't cornered the love market!"
Thorne uttered some kind of a sound that his weakened condition
would not allow to be a whoop.
"Dick! Do you mean it?"
"I shore do, as Laddy says."
"I'm glad, Dick, with all my heart. I wondered at the changed
look you wear. Why, boy, you've got a different front....Call the
lady in, and you bet I'll look her over right. I can see better
now."
"Eat your breakfast. There's plenty of time to dazzle you
afterward."
Thorne fell to upon his breakfast and made it vanish with magic speed.
Meanwhile Dick told him something of a ranger's life along the border.
"You needn't waste your breath," said Thorne. "I guess I can see.
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