Arizona republican., 1912-05-02
III

IllA u Qdy DSl IdSc Adu Dctu SuCCOSu0u by an irOnic coolness in the midst of which 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 a mistake in attempting to de ceive her by impersonating Dave To ban. The fourth day was spent in manufacturing crushing invective, which she had decided to apply lav- ishly to him. But he did not come
 In the afternoon of the fifth day her anger had burned itself out, and she sat Tn 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. Tangy black horse. Her lips curled scornfully, and she made pretense of being busy with some sewing that she 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 It would | not have been so bad if he really was Dave Toban But to masquerade thus! She piled her needle faster and nib bled her lips nervously awaiting his | first word. It came shortly. "Ma'am," he said quietly, "I have l 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 can't be--" she began But his laugh interrupted her
 No" he said, his eyes flashing whimsically. it ain't Ginger But it's right good pony I'd have been over here sooner, but I've spent three days 1 gentlin' him so's you could ride him l An now I'm maxim you present of l him"
 She sat with hands folded in her lap, forcing her eyes to steadiness as they met his.
 How do I know that von have a right to give this pony to anyone?' l she acked evenly.
 flush slowly mounted above the | blue scarf at his throat, creating an | odd contrast Why" he said, plainly embarrassed. 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 stify back watching his face closely.
 "I don't think that I 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 it was you who was behind the
 door that night?" he said, his smile
 broadening II 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 1t was you?" he repeated.
 She nodded, her face reckoning
 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 a 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 rather that I were deceived. But am not"
 "I reckon a man would have to start pretty early to deceive you" he said admiringly.
 T detest fattery,' she returned icily He laughed with an unaccountable humor.
 An l 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 ant fiecking the dust off his boot-top witf a forefinger, 'I ain't exactly box head. if that's what you mean. I've got sense enough to see that you ain exactly pleased with what you've
 found out. I can't say that Tn { blamin' you much. No woman witt any respect for herself would take z shine to a gun-man. Generally they're & bad set. I aint claimin' to be nt ! Sunday-school scholar. But mebbe ain't so bad as you think" Her lips curved scornfully. ''Yol are presuming a great deal" she said . lin thinking that I would take {
 shine to you. whether you were {
 gun-fighter or not. I really think tha
 1 despise you
 He laughed. 'I don't think tha
 you despise me- he declared his eye' flashing with amusement and convic
 tion ''I can see pretty plain, an |. saw that when you thought l wa
 Dave Toban you began to like m' more'n a little. But me turnin ou
 to be a gun-man spoiled that"
 How very conceited you are!' sh'
 sneered.
 He laughed again, his eyes glintin'
 with some subtle emotion But h.
 spoke earnestly
 (7o be eonffsHsd)