Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-08-16

Hubbard started. why" he began
you're takin' a heap Of interest In
But his last word the stranger die
not hear, for he had stepped out o.
the doorway and was striding through
the dusk toward the bunk-house.
III
For two DAYS Miss Hubbard was fill
ed with a riotous rage against th'
stranger, and prayed that he mign
come again so that she could tell hin
what she thought of gun-fighters u
general and of himself in particular
On the third day her rage had beeI
succeeded by an ironic GOODNESS, In tn'
midst of which she decided that an out
ward show Of anger would have litti'
effect upon him. Therefore she decidee
to adopt toward him certain aloor'
ness, which would convince him tina
he had made a mistake in attempting
to deceive her by impersonating Dave
Toban. The fourth day was spent II
manufacturing crushing invective
which she had decided to apply lavish
ly 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. And
he came.
She noted instantly that he had for
saken 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 sne
had brought out with her, ignoring
him entirely-after the first glance.
Already, she decided, he was putting
on airs, as witness the change from the
pony to the black horse. 1t would not
have been so bad If he really was Dave
Toban. But to masquerade thus! She
piled her needle faster and nibbled her
lips nervously, awaiting his first word
1t came shortly.
"Ma'am," he said quietly, II have
brought you another pony"
She had determined not to look at
him at all, but was surprised into q
swift glance. Her gaze rested upon a
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 exclama-
ton.
why, 1t can't be" she began. But
his laugh interrupted her.
mo-" he said, his eyes flashing whim-
sically, ut amt Ginger. But it's a
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 a present OF
him."
She sat with hands folded in her lap,
forcing her eyes to steadiness as they
met his.
How do you know that you have
right to give this pony to anyone"'
she asked evenly.
A flush slowly mounted above the
blue scarf at his throat, creating an odd
contrast. why" he said, plainly en-
barrassed, "I 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 slightly back, watching
his face closely.
81 don't think that should care to
take a gun fighters 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
curled into an amused smile.
80 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' sudden,
when 1t had no call to. The smile now
died out of his face. "An' 80 1t was
you?" he repeated.
She nodded, her face reddening
guiltily.
"An' you heard what was said be-
tween your father an me?"
"Of course. And I am glad that
did"
He shifted uneasily. "Well, I'm right
sorry" he said in low voice. Il
wouldn't have had you hear that for a
good bit"
NO." she returned. pinning him with
a cold glance. You would much rath-
er that I were deceived. But am not"
81 reckon a man would have to start
pretty early to deceive you," he said
admiringly.
Il detest fiattery," she returned icily.
He laughed with an unaccountable
humor.
AN reckon you don't like 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
fiecking the dust off his boot-top with
a forefinger, Il amt exactly box
head, If that's what you mean. I've got
sense enough to see that you amt ex-
actly pleased with what you've found
out. I can't say that I'm blamin' you
much. No woman with any respect for
herself would take shine to gun
man. Generally they're bad set.
amt claimin' to be no Sunday school
scholar. But mebbe I amt so bad as
you think"
Her lips curved scornfully "You are
presuming a great DEAL" she said, I'm
thinking that / would take shine to
you, whether you were a gun-fighter o.
not. l really think that I despise you
He laughed. Il don't think that you
despise me-" he declared, his eyes
flashing with amusement and convic-
tion. Il can see pretty plain, an
saw that when you thought was Dave
Toban you began to like me more'n q
little. But me turnin' out to be gun
man spoiled that"