The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-06-02

dropping her sewing with an excla-
nation.
why, it can't be" she began.
But his laugh interrupted her.
No." he said, his eyes flashing
whimsically. at amt Ginger. But it's
right good pony. I'd have been over
here sooner, but I've spent three days
gentlin' him SOS you could ride him.
An now I'm maxim you present of
him"
She sat with hands folded in her
lap, forcing her eyes to steadiness as
they met his.
How do / know that you have a
right to give this pony to anyone?"
she acked evenly.
A flush slowly mounted above the
blue scarf at his throat, creating an
odd contrast. why" he said, plainly
embarrassed. 81 reckon you'd have to
take my word for that"
Now had come the time when she
could speak the scathing word that
had been in her mind for four days,
and she leaned fifty back, watching
his face closely.
81 don't think that should care to
take a gun-fghter's word for any
thing" she said.
For an instant 1t seemed the shot
had told, for the red in his face deep
ened. But all traces of embarrassment
disappeared instantly, and his lips
curled into an amused smile.
so 1t was you who was behind the
door that night?" he said, his smile
broadening. 81 thought the door acted
pretty strange-took to movin' sud-
den, when 1t had no call to-" The
smile now died out Of his face. AN
so it was you?" he repeated.
She nodded, her face reddening
guilty..
AN you heard what was said be-
tween your father an me?"
"Of course. And / am glad that
did"
He shifted uneasily. well, I'm
right SORRY" he said in a low voice.
81 wouldn't have had you hear that
for good bit"
with cold glance. you would much
rather that / were deceived. But I
am not"
"I reckon a man would have to start
pretty early to deceive YOU" he said
admiringly.
'T detest fiattery." she returned icily.
He laughed with an unaccountable
humor.
can reckon you don't like a gun
man a heap either" he said.
"You are very keen" she returned
ironically.
WELL" he said, throwing one leg
over the pommel of his saddle and
flecking the dust of his boot-top with
a forefnger, 81 amt exactly a box
head, IL that's what you mean. I've
got sense enough to see that you amt
exactly pleased with what you've
found out. can't say that I'm
blamin' you much. No woman with
any respect for herself would take a
shine to gun-man. Generally they're
a bad set. / amt claimin' to be no
Sunday-school scholar. But mebbe l
amt so bad as you think"
Her lips curved scornfully. ''You
are presuming great DEAL" she said,
Gin thinking that ! would take q
shine to you, whether you were a
gun-fighter or not. really think that
I despise you"
He laughed. "I don't think that
; you despise me-. he declared, his eyes
flashing with amusement and convic-
J ton. 81 can see pretty plain, an
saw that when you thought / was
Dave Toban you began to like me
more'n a little. But me turnin' out
to be a gun-man spoiled that"
How very conceited you are!" she
sneered.
He laughed again. his eyes glinting
with some subtle emotion. But he
spoke earnestly.
81 don't think am conceited," he
returned. "It's just that | know q
thing when I see II. I'm more than a
lot sorry that things have turned out
like they have, for like you heap
never liked no other girl. An I was
figuring that when this deal was over
I'd tell you about 1t. But I reckon
we've got to shuttle the cards again
He removed his leg from the pommel
of the saddle and urged his horse
nearer her.
AN so you amt even goin' to take
the pony that I've brought over to
your" he insinuated. After I've gone
to the bother of gentlin' him"
mol" she returned shortly.
He smiled, his lips Strengthening q
little. 81 reckon you wouldn't want to
see Dave Toban shot?" he said.
mol" she admitted, shortly and ear
nestly.
AAC ACdhCu 1OI 1lJllCB 4OOh1uE
at her with cold, grave eyes. 81 sure
had time breakin' this pony" he
sad, SOS he'd have sense enough to
taxa good care Of you when you was
ridin' him. An l hate to lug him
back to the Triangular Bar for some
fool puneher to spoil. If thought
you'd take him an ride him I'd prom
Use not to shoot Dave Toban."
For an instant she sat regarding
} him with surprise. Then her eyes
, flashed. She could not compromise
herself by accepting the pony under
!, these terms, and by accepting she
| would save Toban's life. She looked
grayely at him.
How do l know that you would
keep that promise?" she asked. 81
: wouldn't look at man who would
deliberately shoot another"
He answered her look with one
equally grave. "We'Il make 1t worth
somethin' for me to keep It." he re
turned. eff / don't shoot Dave Toban
! will you agree to treat me like
/ wasn't gun-man?"
! She looked sharply at him. 81 thinE