Page 361 of 439

"Alemane left. Right han' t'yer pardner, an' gran' right and

left. Ev-v-rybody swing."

The ranch house was a large one, the most pretentious in the

valley. A large hall opened into a living room and a dining room,

by means of large double doors, which had been drawn back, so as

to make one room of them.

As they pushed their way through the crowd of rough young fellows

who clustered round the door, as if afraid their escape might be

cut off, Fraser observed that the floor was already crowded with

dancers.

The quadrille came to an end as he arrived, and, after they had

seated their partners, red-faced perspiring young punchers

swelled the knot around the door.