Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-05-30

NATION.
why, it can't be-" she began.
But his laugh interrupted her.
mo" he said, his eyes flashing
whimsically, ut amt Ginger. But it's
a right good pony. I'd have been over
gentlin him SOS you could ride him.
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
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 stihy back, watching
his face closely.
Il 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.
so 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
guiltily.
An you heard what was said be-
tween your father an me-"
"Of course. And | am glad that
did"
He shifted uneasly. "Well. I'm
right sorry" he said in a low voice.
Il wouldn't have had you hear that
for a good bit"
No" she returned. pinning him
with cold glance. You would much
rather that were deceived. But |
am not
Il reckon a man would have to start
pretty early to deceive you he said
. admiringly.
II detest fattery." she returned icily.
He laughed with an unaccountab
humor
An reckon you don't like a gun
b man a heap either he said.
You are very keen" she returned
: ironically.
: We'll" he said throwing one leg
over the pommel of his saddle and
! tlecking the dust off his hoOi-top with
; forefnger. Il amt exactly a box
: head. if 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
bamin You much. No woman with
any respect for herself would take a
| shine to gun-man. Generally they're
r bad set. | amt claimin 10 he nc
Sunday-school scholar. But mebbe
amt so bad as You think
Her lips curved scornfully. "Yor
: are presuming a great deal" she said
lin thinking that | would take z
r shine to you, whether you were {
=, gun-fghter or not. | really think thai
I | despise you"
q. He laughed Il don't think thai
+ you despise me-" he declared. his eye.
flashing with amusement and convic
. tion. Il can see pretty plain, an
| saw that when you thought | wa:
/. Dave Toban you began to like ms
: HluIf II a. lllll'. fbul me tUTHln gu
to be a gun-man spoiled that"
, How very cOnceited you are," she
t. sneered
He laughed again. his eyes glintina
J with some subtle emotion. But he
t spoke earnestly.
1 Il don't think | am conceited," he
returned. It's just that | know {
thing when | see it, I'm more than {
hot ho
1 like they have, for | like you a heap
: never liked no other girl, An | was
e figuring that when this deal was owe
t I'd tell you about it. But | reckon
| we've got to shuttle the cards again.
e He removed his leg from the pomme
l OF the saddle and urged his hors
T nearer her.
q AN so you amt even goin' to talk
t the pony that I've brought over +,
o yon'' he insinuated. after I've gon
!. 10 the bother OF gentlin' him"
MOI" she returned shortly.
y He smiled, his lips strengthening
J. little. Il reckon you wouldn't want t
n sec Dave Toban shot?" he said.
= No. she admitted. shortly and eal
= nestly.
He leaned forward a little, lookin
r at her with cold grave eyes. Il sur
@ had time breakin' this pony" h
o said, SOS he'd have sense enough /
& take good care of you when you wa
!. ridin' him. An | hate to lug hiI
oack to the Triangular Bar for som
r TOOL puncher to spoil. IL though
:, you'd take him an ride him I'd prom
d Use rot to shoot Dave Toban"
VI For an instant she sat regardin
e him with surprise Then her eye
g flashed. She could not compromis
herself by accepting the pony unde
g these terms, and by accepting sh
m would save Toban's life. She locke
Id gravcly at him.
IS How do know that you woul
)! keep that promise?" she asked. f"
b. wouldn't look at a man who woul
is deliberately shoot another"
He answered her look with on
'e equally grave. We'll make II wort
somethin' for me to keep IT," he r.
at turned, "lf don't shoot Dave Tobal
will You agree to treat me like
y wasn't gun.man?"
"a She looked sharply at him, II thin
81 I oan .or.n IN that " chp cold