5 ACORN "But I guess I'm not exactly respectable. I ain't been doing very good things these last few years," said Kid. "Well, you're going to do better now, and if you will I'd like you to stay and work for me." "I'd be very grateful," said Kid, at a loss for words. A knock disturbed their conversation and Kid trembled as Mr. Manor answered the door. "I'm Sheriff Bricks," said the stranger, showing his star. "Have you seen anything of Kid Decker? Here's his picture. We've traced him to Arizona." The rancher looked at the photograph and honestly answered he never remembered seeing him. "I do recall now, however, that horseman passed here about two o'clock, riding rapidly southward." "I guess that's him, alright. We'll have him before morning. Good night to you," and the posse rode off. Kid had been at the ranch three weeks and was Manor's favorite cowboy. "He's gosh darn good looking," the rancher had said. At supper one night, Manor said, "Betty is coming home from Spencer High School tomorrow, so she writes. Do you want to read her letter?" "Spencer?" gasped Kid. "Yes. She had gone there three years." Kid read the letter. He was glad Betty was coming home. Manor had never tired telling him of her. But Dora was coming with her would he dare see her? "So her friend, Dora Wilson, is coming, too?" "That's what she says. Why Kid you look sad. Do you know Dora?" asked the rancher hastily. "My sister's name is Dora. I was thinking of her. When I left" but he could say no more. Tears were in his eyes. "What's the matter?" said the rancher tenderly. "Oh, nothing much!" He abruptly left, the room and until two o'clock he lay in his bed worried and agitated. What would Dora think of him? He suddenly resolved to send the money back to the Downey bank and live a square life. Jumping out of bed, he searched his room for his old trousers, where he had left the money. He gave up at last. Mr. Manor, who had been awakened by the noise in the Kid's room, got up and opened the door. "Where did my old pants go? Did you take them out of this room?" ACORN 6 Yes, I gave 'em to Mike the other day. You wern't using them." "You did! Then-" and pushing Manor violently aside, ran out to the bunk house Poor Mike was scared to death when Kid shook him out of his bed. "Where are those pants Manor gave to you the other day?" Mike picked himself up and, rubbing his sleepy eyes, said, "Pants, what pants? What the-" "Those pants Manor g'ave you? I want them right now." "Well, you can't have 'em. Do you git that?" Kid saw he had begun wrong. "Well ,now see here, how much will you take for 'em?" "Nothing, I don't want to sell them." "I'll give you twenty-five dollars, that will buy you a whole new suit." "No, I-" but Kid had grabbed the pants, thrown the money on the table and was gone. Next morning Kid sent the money back to the bank and was in excellent spirits when Betty and Dora arrived. During the first week Betty, Dora and Kid had grown to be close friends. One day, Kid asked Dora about her parents and brother. He had already suspected that she knew he was her brother. "My father is dead," she replied. "I have one brother, but he ran away; oh, how I wish he would return. It would make mamma young again, for she would be so happy. So would I." "Do you know where he is or what he is doing?" "No, but he was a good boy, and I know he is not doing anything bad wherever he is." "That he isn't. Tomorrow I'll tell you more about him, and maybe where he is." Oh, please tell me tonight, if you know anything of him," and she ran eagerly toward him. "All right, Dora, my dearest sister, I will tell you. I am Kid Wilson, your brother." "You are? Honest? Is he, Mr. Manor?" Mr. Manor nodded. Dora threw her arms around his neck and whispered. "Kid I'm so happy. Let's go home to mother." "Tomorrow we shall go, Dora, and Betty, will you come and go home with us, too?" said Kid tenderly. "Yes, Kid," said Betty. MYRTLE CANTWELL, '18.