The Girl from Sunset Ranch Part 17

"Back where she came from."

"Perhaps the folks there don't want her," said Belle.

"Of course she's a pauper," observed Hortense.

"Give her some money and send her away, Pa," begged Belle.

"You ought to. She's not fit to a.s.sociate with Flossie. You know just how Floss picks up every little thing----"

"And she's that man's daughter, too, you know," remarked Belle.

"Ahem!" said their father, weakly.

"It's not decent to have her here."

"Of course, other people will remember what Morrell did. It will make a scandal for us."

"I cannot help it! I cannot help it!" cried Mr. Starkweather, suddenly breaking out and battling against his daughters as he sometimes did when they pressed him too closely. "I cannot send her away."

"Well, she mustn't be encouraged to stay," declared Hortense.

"I should say not," rejoined Belle.

"And getting up at this hour to breakfast," Hortense sniffed.

Helen Morrell wore strong, well-made walking boots. Good shoes were something that she could always buy in Elberon. But usually she walked lightly and springily.

Now she came stamping through the small hall, and on the heels of the last remark, flung back the curtain and strode into the den.

"Hullo, folks!" she cried. "Goodness! don't you get up till noon here in town? I've been clean out to your city park while I waited for you to wash your faces. Uncle Starkweather! how be you?"

She had grabbed the hand of the amazed gentleman and was now pumping it with a vigor that left him breathless.

"And these air two of your gals?" quoth Helen. "I bet I can pick 'em out by name," and she laughed loudly. "This is Belle; ain't it? Put it thar!"

and she took the resisting Belle's hand and squeezed it in her own brown one until the older girl winced, muscular as she herself was.

"And this is 'Tense--I know!" added the girl from Sunset Ranch, reaching for the hand of her other cousin.

"No, you don't!" cried Hortense, putting her hands behind her. "Why! you'd crush my hand."

"Ho, ho!" laughed Helen, slapping her hand heartily upon her knee as she sat down. "Ain't you the puny one!"

"I'm no great, rude----"

"Ahem!" exclaimed Mr. Starkweather, recovering from his amazement in time to shut off the snappy remark of Hortense. "We--we are glad to see you, girl----"

"I knew you'd be!" cried Helen, loudly. "I told 'em back on the ranch that you an' the gals would jest about eat me up, you'd be so glad, when ye seen me. Relatives oughter be neighborly."

"Neighborly!" murmured Hortense. "And from Montana!"

"Butcher got another one; ain't ye, Uncle Starkweather?" demanded the metamorphosed Helen, looking about with a broad smile. "Where's the little tad?"

"'Little tad'! Oh, won't Flossie be pleased?" again murmured Hortense.

"My youngest daughter is at school," replied Mr. Starkweather, nervously.

"Shucks! of course," said Helen, nodding. "I forgot they go to school half their lives down east here. Out my way we don't get much chance at schoolin'."

"So I perceive," remarked Hortense, aloud.

"Now I expect _you_,'Tense," said Helen, wickedly, "have been through all the isms and the ologies there be--eh? You look like you'd been all worn to a frazzle studyin'."

Belle giggled. Hortense bridled.

"I really wish you wouldn't call me out of my name," she said.

"Huh?"

"My name is Hortense," said that young lady, coldly.

"Shucks! So it is. But that's moughty long for a single mouthful."

Belle giggled again. Hortense looked disgusted. Uncle Starkweather was somewhat shocked.

"We--ahem!--hope you will enjoy yourself here while you--er--remain," he began. "Of course, your visit will be more or less brief, I suppose?"

"Jest accordin' to how ye like me and how I like you folks," returned the girl from Sunset Ranch, heartily. "When Big Hen seen me off----"

"Who--_who_?" demanded Hortense, faintly.

"Big Hen Billings," said Helen, in an explanatory manner. "Hen was dad's--that is he worked with dad on the ranch. When I come away I told Big Hen not to look for me back till I arrove. Didn't know how I'd find you-all, or how I'd like the city. City's all right; only n.o.body gets up early. And I expect we-all can't tell how we like each other until we get better acquainted."

"Very true--very true," remarked Mr. Starkweather, faintly.

"But, goodness! I'm hungry!" exclaimed Helen. "You folks ain't fed yet; have ye?"

"We have breakfasted," said Belle, scornfully. "I will ring for the butler. You may tell Lawdor what you want--er--_Cousin_ Helen," and she looked at Hortense.

"Sure!" cried Helen. "Sorry to keep you waiting. Ye see, I didn't have any watch and the sun was clouded over this morning. Sort of run over my time limit--eh? Ah!--is this Mr. Lawdor?"

The shaky old butler stood in the doorway.

"It is _Lawdor_," said Belle, emphatically. "Is there any breakfast left, Lawdor?"

"Yes, Miss Belle. When Gregson told me the young miss was not at the table I kept something hot and hot for her, Miss. Shall I serve it in my room?"

"You may as well," said Belle, carelessly. "And, _Cousin_ Helen!"

"Yep?" chirped the girl from the ranch.