noon
The characteristic thoroughness that had marked the progress of her search for her father 's claim , and had impelled her to return to the false claim and procure the notice , and that very morning had prompted her to ride against the slender chance of Vil Holland 's meeting with a mishap , impelled her now to read for herself the entry of her father 's strike . The register shoved his black skull-cap a trifle back upon his shiny head , adjusted his thick eyeglasses , and smiled into the face of the girl . `` Things must be looking up out in the hills , '' he hazarded . `` You 're the second one to-day and it ai n't noon yet . '' `` I presume Mr. Holland has been here . '' `` Yes , Vil come in . I guess he 's around somewheres .