Page:J Allan Dunn--The Girl of Ghost Mountain.djvu/116

98 all places are so fortunate. Capital is quick to seize water power but they haven't this. The Government handles the big projects in the same manner but here is where we can help ourselves."

"That is fine," she said. "That is what I should like to do"—for a second their glances met and something was conceived, something both set aside as she concluded, "—if I was a man."

"Waffles!" Jackson, girded about by an apron, made the grand announcement.

"Come a-runnin'. They're pipin' hot."

The meal was a merry one, self-served. Sunset was still lingering when they ended it. Jackson disappeared outside to help with the dishes. They could hear the splash of water and the laughter of Thora and Red. The two exchanged looks of smiling confidence.

"He's telling her about his war experiences," said Sheridan. "He was a sergeant. Was in the Argonne. Most of my men enlisted and came back the better for it. I was tied up with a damaged lung," he added, his voice keen with regret.

"Your battle is on Chico Mesa," she suggested. "You were going to tell me about how we and Circle S are going to communicate."

She got him paper and pencil while he explained.

"This may be for social calls or for any emergency. A doctor, for example. So you can teach it to Thora. It is just a primitive heliograph, in code."

"Why code?"

"It is just as easy as straight talk," he parried. He had an idea that he would like to invest possible