The ruddy color deepened in Vic Burleigh's brown cheek, but the steadfast
gaze of his eyes and the firm lines of his mouth told the head of Sunrise
something of what he would find in the sturdy young Jayhawker.

"Sometimes," came the blunt answer. "I've always lived on a Kansas claim.
Unless you know what that means you might not understand--how hard a life"--
Vic stopped abruptly and squeezed the rim of his derby.

"Never mind. We take only face value here. Fine view from that window,"
and Lloyd Fenneben's genial smile began to win the heart of the country
boy as most young hearts were won to him.

Burleigh leaned toward the window, forgetful of the chair arms
he had striven to subdue, the late afternoon sunlight falling
on his brown face and glinting in his auburn hair.

"It's as pretty as paradise," he said, simply. "There's nothing
like our Kansas prairies."

"You come from the plains out west, I hear. How long do you plan
to stay here, Burleigh?" Dr. Fenneben asked.

"Four years if I can make it go. I've got a little schooling
and I know how to herd cattle. I need more than this, if I am
only a country boy."

"Who pays for your schooling, yourself, or your father?" Fenneben queried.

"I have no father nor mother now."