The Mystery in Arizona

didn’t even try to do more than nibble at a roll. Now that she was an employee, too, she ate her meals with the girls and Rosita at the table that was near the swinging door to the kitchen.
    “I just love my job,” she told them, with an especially warm smile for Di. “Your uncle is a darling. How do you like my dress?” She was wearing a high-waisted dotted Swiss frock that had a low neckline, puffed sleeves, and a long full skirt. “Do I look as though I’d arrived in a covered wagon?”
    “Oh, yes,” Honey replied, “only much prettier than the ladies you see in western movies.”
    Jane Brown blushed. “You’re very sweet, Honey, and I can guess why you were given that nickname. Oh, I wish I weren’t so nervous. I haven’t the faintest idea of how to behave at a square dance.”
    “We don’t know any of the tricky steps,” Di said soothingly, “and I guess nobody does. The idea is just to dance around and have fun.” She turned to Rosita. “You’re going with us, aren’t you?”
    Rosita shook her head. “I do not know any of the steps, and I have nothing suitable to wear.”
    “Oh, Rosita,” Trixie cried out, “that’s no excuse. You’ll have a good time even if you don’t dance, and you look darling in your uniform.”
    “We’re just about the same size,” Jane Brown added. “I’d love to lend you an informal evening gown. One of mine would look stunning on you. It’s a red and green plaid gingham with a wide red sash that ties in a huge bow.”
    Rosita’s dark eyes sparkled. “It sounds perfectly lovely, Miss Brown, and you are too generous to offer to lend it to me. I would accept if there were only something I could do for you in return.” She spread her pretty hands hopelessly. “But I have nothing.”
    “Oh, yes, you have.” Miss Brown corrected her. “You have your own sweet personality. Frankly, I can t bear the thought of going into that huge room all alone. I’m terribly shy, you see. Won’t you go with me?”
    Rosita’s dimples appeared as she said impulsively, “In that case, yes.”
    They left the table together, arm in arm, and Trixie said with satisfaction, “They make a grand team. Jane Brown is so shy, and as for Rosita—well, we Bob-Whites really have just got to do something about her.”
    Di sighed. “Do you still think there’s something mysterious about her working here?”
    “I know there is,” Trixie said smugly. “I solved the mystery this morning when I talked to Mrs. Sherman and also when I talked to Tenny just before the rodeo.” She told them then about the accident and how desperately Rosita needed money.
    When she finished, Honey said, “You’re right, Trixie; we’ve got to do something. But what? She’s much too proud to accept charity.”
    “So Tenny isn’t really a cowboy,” Di said thoughtfully.
    “No,” Trixie said in a low voice, “but it’s supposed to be a secret, so for heaven’s sake don’t let anyone know what I told you.”
    “How about the boys?” Honey asked. “Can they be let in on the secret? You know how I feel about Jim. Why, ever since he became my adopted brother, I’ve always told him all my secrets. I mean, the important ones.”
    “I know,” Trixie said, “and Tenny figured that it would be hard for us to not tell the boys, so he said we could.” She looked over her shoulder at the rest of the crowded dining room. “They re clearing away the dishes now, so I guess they’re about through.”
    In a few minutes Mart and Jim joined the girls, and then Brian came in from the side door. “We re supposed to be co-hosts,” he said, slipping into a chair beside Honey. “I just had a chat with Uncle Monty. He’s counting on us to make sure that the dance starts out with a bang.”
    “That’s right,” Jim added. “A lot of the guests will be shy about being the first couple on the floor when Uncle Monty starts calling. So it’s up to us to be the first three couples.”
    “Well, okay,” said Trixie dubiously. “I just hope I don’t trip and fall on my face. You know how clumsy I’m apt to be when I’m wearing a long skirt.”
    “We know; we know,” Mart informed her. “All too well do we know that when you trip the light fantastic you trip, period. Full stop.” He turned to Honey. “You were not, I believe, living in the Manor House at the time when Trixie made history in grade school by falling off the stage during a play when she was supposed to be a dancing