THESE BARREN HILLS

THESE BARREN HILLS, by Allan Young

Beth Bell, rancher's daughter, is extricated from dangerous situations by the taciturn son of a neighboring rancher. Home from school in St. Louis, she expect to be bored, lonely and at loose ends, in the vast, scarcely populated country in which she finds herself. Her unsettled state takes a very different turn, as she makes new friends-but learns that she might have a few enemies as well. Her acquaintance with a local storekeeper's daughter generates a new attitude on her part, as does her friendship with the young man who plays hero to her troubles. An excellent rifleman, with a dog and horse to match his ability, he is still considered a saddle bum by her father. "One thing is for sure," said Beth, "I definitely won't be leaving the ranch and going back to St. Louis this fall!"