grasp, one would never guess her affliction.

That evening's entertainment was only an impromptu affair. A few
nights later the house party was formally invited to a "ball" at
the men's quarters. The big dining room next the bunk house was
cleared out, two fiddles and an accordion obtained from Osaka, and
the Rose Ranch outfit showed the visitors what a real cowboy dance
was like.

Rhoda and her friends certainly had a fine time at this ball. Boys
from neighboring outfits attended, some riding fifty and sixty
miles to "shake a leg" as the local expression had it.

There were both Mexican and white girls from Osaka and from other
ranches. Even a party of Indians attended, but the young squaws
were in civilized costume and looked even more "American" than the
Mexican girls. One young Indian, however, confided to Walter that
he did not think the new dances were graceful or really worthy.

"Really, the square dances and the good old waltz are more to my
taste," he said. "We never took up these one--and two-steps at
Carlisle when I was there."

"Another of my cherished beliefs gone," confessed Walter,
afterward, to Nan. "I bet that redskin doesn't know how to throw
the tomahawk, and that he couldn't give the warhoop the proper
pronunciation if he tried. Dear me! this Southwest is getting
awfully civilized."

But Bess Harley was delighted with the evening's fun. Going to bed