Holly had seen through her father’s attempt to disguise the truth.

“Then—that is your choice—Holly?” the rancher resumed, presently.

“Dad, there never was any choice. There was only—home. My West! I have never forgotten a single thing.”

“My beloved—I am ashamed,” returned the Colonel, with agitation. “I should have known you would be like Carlotta. I imagined you might…. Well, never mind what, since it can never be…. Holly, in the days to come you will learn how I run my ranch—how I keep open house for all. Never have I turned away anyone from Don Carlos’ Rancho. Indians, outlaws, wanderers, travellers, all have been welcome heah. That is why no white or red hand has ever been against me yet…. When the time comes, Holly, will you preserve my open hand to all?”

“I will, Dad.”

Ripple clasped her in a close embrace, then turned a working visage and beaming eye upon his foreman.

“Britt, you old rebel, you know my child. And I’m thankin’ God that when I have to go you will look after her…. There, Holly. Our serious talk is over.”

“Not yet, Dad,” she murmured. “I have my turn. There are some questions I want to ask you.”

“Ah!—Fire away, daughter,” he replied, gayly, but it was easy for Britt to see his perturbation.

“Dad, I know hardly a word of Spanish,” said Holly, softly, with her eyes downcast. “It was forbidden me at school. I did not realize until I got home. Your Mexicans speak Spanish to me. The living-room I remembered so well has all been done over, refurnished. The beautiful rooms you have given me—the same. Everything new, beautiful, costly. But not a trace of Spanish color or design.”

“Holly, that is easy to explain,” returned her father, frankly. “I wanted you to be American. That is why I kept you away at school so many years. If I had brought you up heah, in the Spanish environment which pertained until recently, you would have been all Valverde. I had the greatest respect for your mother. You know that. But I wanted you to grow up as a true American in education, speech and spirit.”

“Dad, was that any reflection upon Don Carlos Valverde?” queried Holly, with proud, dark eyes upon him. There was something passionate and alien in her that could never be wholly eradicated.