The big living-room of the ranch house was a man’s domain.  A magnificent elk head decorated one of the walls.  Upon the antlers rested a rifle and from one of the tines depended a belt with a six-shooter in its holster.  A braided leather quirt lay on the table and beside it a spur one of the boys had brought in to be riveted.  Tossed carelessly into one corner were a fishing-rod and a creel.  A shotgun and a pair of rubber waders occupied the corner diagonally opposite.

But there were evidences to show that Beulah had modified at least her environment.  An upright piano and a music-rack were the most conspicuous.  Upon the piano was a padded-covered gift copy of “Aurora Leigh.”  A similar one of “In Memoriam” lay on the mantel next to a photograph of the girl’s dead mother framed in small shells.  These were mementoes of Beulah’s childhood.  A good copy of Del Sarto’s John the Baptist hanging from the wall and two or three recent novels offered an intimation that she was now beyond shell frames and padded-leather editions.

Miss Rutherford hobbled away to look after her ankle and to give orders for supper to the ranch cook.  Conversation waned.  The owner of the place invited Roy out to look over with him a new ram he had just imported from Galloway.  The young man jumped at the chance.  He knew as much about sheep as he did of Egyptian hieroglyphics, but he preferred to talk about the mange rather than his reasons for visiting Huerfano Park.

Just at present strangers were not welcome in the park.  Rutherford himself was courteous on account of the service he had done Beulah, but the boys were frankly suspicious.  Detectives of the express company had been poking about the hills.  Was this young fellow who called himself Street a spy sent in by the Western?  While Beaudry ate supper with the family, he felt himself under the close observation of four pairs of watchful eyes.

Afterward a young man rode into the ranch and another pair of eyes was added to those that took stock of the guest.  Brad Charlton said he had come to see Ned Rutherford about a gun, but Ned’s sister was the real reason for his call.  This young man was something of a dandy.  He wore a Chihuahua hat and the picturesque trappings with which the Southwest sometimes adorns itself.  The fine workmanship of the saddle, bridle, and stirrups was noticeable.  His silk handkerchief, shirt, and boots were of the best.  There was in his movements an easy and graceful deliberation, but back of his slowness was a chill, wary strength.

Roy discovered shortly that Charlton was a local Admirable Crichton.  He was known as a crack rider, a good roper, and a dead shot.  Moreover, he had the reputation of being ready to fight at the drop of the hat.  To the Rutherford boys he was a hero.  Whether he was one also to Beulah her guest had not yet learned, but it took no wiseacre to guess that he wanted to be.