The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1912-11-25
II

the dusk toward the bunk-house.
FOR two days Miss Hubbard was filled
with n rlotous rage against the stran-
ger, and prayed that he might come
again so that she could tell him what
she thought of gun-hghters in general
and OF himself in particular. On the
third day her rage had been succeeded
by an ironc coolness. in the midst of
witch she decided that an outward
show of anger would have little effect
upon him Therefore she decided to
adopt toward him certain aloofness,
which would convince him that he had
made q mistake in attempting to de-
ceive her by impersonating Dave To
ban The fourth day was spent In
manufacturing crushing invective,
which she nad decided TO apply Law
ishly to him But he did not come.
In the afternoon of the fifth day her
anger had burned itself out. and she
sat in a rocking chair on the wide
porch, thinking Of him and wondering
what she really would say to him.
md he came.
She noted instantly that he had for
ssken his pony He now rode big.
rangy black horse. Her lips curled
scornfully and she made a pretense Of
being busy with some sewing that she
had brought out with her, ignoring
him entlrely--after the first glance.
Already. she decided he was putting
on airs. as witness the change from
the pony to the black horse II would
not have been so bad II he really was
Dave Toban. But to masquerade thus
She piled her needle faster and nib
bled her lips nervously, awaiting his
first word 1t came shortly.
"Maam," he said quietly, q have
brought you another pony"
She had determined not to look at
him at all, but was surprised into
swift glance Her gaze rested upon
pony that he had been leading, which
might have been Ginger, himself so
nearly did he match the dead pony in
size and appearance For the second
time she was surprised. this time into
dropping her sewing with an eXcla-
nation
why It cant be-" she began.
But his laugh interrupted her.
NO" he said, his eyes flashing
whmsically. 1T 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
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 stify back, watching
his face closely.
"I don't think that I should care to
take gun-1ghter's word for any
thing" she said.
For an instant it seemed the shot
had told for the red in his face deep
ened But all traces of embarrassment
disappeared instantly. and his lips
curied into an amused smile
$50 it was you who was behind the
door that night?" he said. his smile
broadening Il thought the door acted
pretty strange took to movin' sud
den. when it had no call to-" The
smile now died out Of his face An
so it was you?" he repeated
She nodded. her face reddening
Euiltily.
"An' you heard what was said be
tween your father an me?'
"Of course. And am glad that ]
did"
right sorry" he said in low voice
Il wouldn't have had you hear that
for good bit"
no she returned pnning him
with a cold Glance you would much
rather that | were deceived But
am not"
81 reckon a man would have to start
pretty early TO deceive you he said
admringly.
Il detest fattery" she returned cily
He laughed with an unaocountable
humor,
An I reckon you don't like gun
man heap either he said.
"You are very keen she returned
ironically
Wen" he said. throwing Que leg
over the pomme! of his saddle and
aecliing the dust off hts loottop with
forefnger. 81 amt exactly box
head if that's what You meaA. I've
got sense enough to see that YOU aint
exactly pleased wlth what you've
found out CAM say that I'm
blamin' you much so woman with
eny respect for aerselt would take a
shine 10 eunmar Generally tle} re
brd sci alnf claimin to be no
|, sunday. school scholar Bur mebhe
ain't so bad as You think"
Her lips curved scornfully "YoH
are presuming ereat deal. she said.
in thinning hat / would take
'srine' 20 you. whether Won We're
gun-fghter or not really ihink that
despise you
lie laughed. Il don't thiat that
YOU despise me he declared. h's eyes
flashing with amusement and conv'r-
tion u ran see pretty plqin an !
saw ha when you .housir "as
Dave TCDau you hogan 40 ike the
uoreE a little BIT me- tnrnn GU
20 te CUR man spoiled that
How very cor s.te3 Won are. she