Dorothy Dale to the Rescue by Margaret Penrose

"Cross my heart and hope to die," said Tavia. "Tell me quickly ere I pass away with suspense."

"Well, I have a very good suspicion which way Joe headed.

"He headed West -- "

"Exactly! And straight for the ranch of one young Westerner called Garry Knapp."

Tavia looked at her chum hard for a moment, then waved the hair brush aloft in a jubilant gesture.

"I do believe you have struck it, Doro! " she cried. "Of course that is the obvious thing for him to do."

"He always loved Garry -- "

"Seems to run in the family," interrupted Tavia.

"And he would naturally go to him for help and advice at this time."

"He hasn't reached his objective yet, if Garry's ranch is the objective," Tavia pointed out. "If he had, Garry would have telegraphed."

"I've thought of that, of course," admitted Dorothy. "But then, if he went directly he has hardly had time yet. Anyway, there is no use guessing any longer," and she rose abruptly from the bed and gave Tavia a good-night hug. "To-morrow we begin to act."

"For which, thanks be! " said Tavia fervently.

It was a very much disgruntled Nat who saw them off the following morning. The waiting end of a game was never a pleasant one to him. And, it meant losing Tavia for an indefinite time!

However, Tavia managed to tear herself away finally, and after Dorothy also had been hugged and kissed the train moved off and the two girls sank back in their seats with a feeling of relief that at last their adventure was in motion.

Tavia brought forth the two-pound box of candy that the boys had bestowed upon her and her chum and began contentedly to untie the ribbon that bound it.

"Have one, Doro? " The latter shook her head. She was too full of anxiety for Joe and the dear ones at home to think about anything else.

The Major had seemed very frail that morning when he had said good-bye, but there had been an eager light in his eyes that she understood only too well. He had been thinking that the next time he saw his daughter, Joe might be with her.

And Joe would be with her! Dorothy's chin went up and her eyes gleamed in a manner curiously suggestive of the Major in the days when the success of the _Bugle_ meant everything to him.

"Good gracious, Doro, don't look like that! " cried Tavia, happening that moment to glance at her chum. "You remind me of bulldogs and prize fighters and other pugnacious animals."

"How extremely complimentary you are," laughed Dorothy. "I'll have you know that though I can't get over the fact that I'm an animal, I'm not pugnacious."