Sunset Ranch: A Story of a Boy's Adventures in the West — page 209: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

All for Polly. 197 “Then, Polly; don’t fret—you’re going to stay,” said Cuthbert, solemnly, while Karl nodded assent. It might have been very amusing to any outsider to have witnessed this little scene, but the boys were certainly dead in earnest. The bridle was on her pony’s neck. She caught a hand of each and gave them such a thankful look from her tear-dimmed eyes. You would have thought the boys were a couple of mail-clad knights come to rescue a forlorn prin- cess from the giant’s castle; and indeed so they were, in truth, according to her way of thinking. “What does Mr. Kelly say?’ asked Cuthbert, a little uneasily. “He seems uncertain how to act. You know he has a great respect for the law, and yet he really cares for poor me. I think when you side with me Mr. Kelly will get new backbone and refuse to give me up.” “You bet he will!’ said Karl, briskly. “Come, cheer up, Polly. We'll see you through all right. Now for a race to the ranch.” Cuthbert wished to get the thing over with as soon as possible. When there was any disagreeable duty to be performed he was always in a great hurry. So the three started off, and Polly won, as she al- ways did, for the boys knew it gave her infinite pleasure; and, besides, they secretly liked to gal- lop behind, admiring the little witch with the long, flowing hair, who turned to laugh and mock their apparently useless efforts to catch up with the pro- cession. Accordingly, when they presently drew up at the door of the long, low ranch building, Polly, with flushed cheeks and sparkling, saucy eyes, looked quite different from the woe-begone girl who had come to meet them. Connicloe® S C©