Page 86 (1/1)

"And how is your guest?" asked Roger "I've been telling Schmidt about her He's heard of Von Minden at Archer's And it seems she outfitted there Claiement with us"

"Well, she was invisible, practically until noon to-day Then she brought her rocking chair here where Dick and I were at work and concentrated on us all the afternoon"

"Concentrated? Vat iss concentrated?" asked Gustav

"Well, she rocks in the chair, holding the pink umbrella till Dick lashed it to the chair back for her She keeps her eyes closed and doesn't speak, though she did explain that she was talking to herthe successful erection of the engine house Dick seeazes as if fascinated, then he goes off behind the living tent and laughs"

"My God, what a country!" groaned Roger

"I've got a bed fixed up for you in the cook tent, Schmidt," said Ernest "You'll be safe if none of Mrs von Minden's spirit friends bother you She toldthe accordion in the cook tent last night"

"I love hing to bed Roger wakened in the night but once Through the open tent flap he beheld Mrs von Minden rocking silently in the starlight before her tent

"She's going to get on ain

Daas just breaking over the er entered the cook tent He was greeted by Gustav, as purple with the cold but grinning cheerfully, and the s on Frau Nature's heart in the desert, nicht wahr!" he exclaiulps and snortings and I slept not It vas not the music I had been promised So I make the breakfast early"

"I didn't sleep well er "Desert silenceto the door--"Ern! You lazy Dutchet up for your breakfast"

Gustav and Roger were half through the roaned, sliding stiffly onto the bench beside Roger

"I certainly hate to er "Let's use sheet iron"

"It'll be better to take Dick's advice," insisted Ernest "He says the dust storhtful here and the heat worse The adobe shelter will be grateful on many counts"