CHAPTER IV.
Helen Rayner had been on the westbound overland train fully twenty-four hours before she made an alarming discovery.
Accompanied by her sister Bo, a precocious girl of sixteen, Helen had left St.Joseph with a heart saddened by farewells to loved ones at home, yet full of thrilling and vivid anticipations of the strange life in the Far West.

All her people had the pioneer spirit; love of change, action, adventure, was in her blood.

Then duty to a widowed mother with a large and growing family had called to Helen to accept this rich uncle's offer.

She had taught school and also her little brothers and sisters; she had helped along in other ways.

And now, though the tearing up of the roots of old loved ties was hard, this opportunity was irresistible in its call.