The Concordia sentinel., 1920-11-27
CHAPTER III-continuod.

falo Gap ]. p. burst out, forgetting
his clerical role In a sudden express
sion Of feeling. whatever caused the
fool to butt ln?"
"Oh he didn't intend nuthin'. Tom
amt that kind. He just drifted long
ter see the fun. Yer can't blame him
cause the gurl took shine his way.
The two disappeared, their voices
still grumbling, and Shelby got to his
feet and moved along the edge OF the
tent to where he could view the shack
better. Through the window on that
side an un0bstructed blaze OF light
poured forth, but even as he stood
staring at 1t the girl appeared fully
revealed In the glare and drew down
the curtain. He saw her clearly, like
a picture In a frame, one round arm
uplifted to grasp the shade. He drew
a quick breath, almost of astonfsh-
ment. conscious Of the rapid beating
of his heart. BY heaven, she was
actually pretty! He had never thought
that before; but then, in that ruddy
light, the strange impression took pos
session as something entirely new.
And 1t served TO strengthen his pur-
pose. He would not play the part OF
a coward; he would go in and ex-
plain; he would make her understand
exactly how matters were with him
and why he acted as he had.
Yet this was accomplished hesitat-
InRly and In doubt. He was at the
door twice before he found sufficient
courage to knock lightly. There was
no response and he used his knuckles
a trife louder. intensely conscious Of
n desire to turn and run away. But
there was no opportunity. The latch
clicked sharply and the light streamed
directly into his face, fairly binding
him.
"Oh, 40 II is you back againr" she
asked coldly. "What did you want?'
"Just-just to have a word with
you-privately," he explained lamely,
blinking his eyes. IL thought may
be l could explain"
Explain what?"
"Why-why how this thing happen
ed. Miss" His confusion rendered him
almost incoherent. "You see. II
don't want you TO think I'm that sort"
"Oh. you don't? Well. I'm not that
sort, either. Come along in, II you
want to; I'll hear what you have to
say"
Shelby never felt quite so awkward
| and impotent before I'm all his life. al
he did standing there, f1ddling with
! the hat in his hand. while the girl
carefully closed the door behind him.
Her own appearance Of ease. even Of
enjoyment. only added to his deep en-
] barrassment.
For the first time he really took
notice Of the room, how plainly II was
furnished; deal table, two chairs.
the stove. few books on shelf. with
a small clock between. Everything
looked cheap but Immediately clean.
and, as his eyes wandered back TO the
girl, that was what impressed him
most about her-cleanliness. II was
evidenced In face and hands. in the
dark skirt and white waist, in the
smooth strands Of hair.
SWELL" she said pleasantly, 81 reckon
you might as we'll sit down, as long
as you are here"
He found a chair and dropped into
IT, and she took the only other one.
her hands clasped IN her lap and her
serious eyes watching him with un-
disguised curiosity.
II didn't expect to see you again."
she broke the silence which was he
coming awkward "What was II that
brought you hackT'
"Fact is / don't know" ne explained.
startled at the sound Of his own voice.
"YOu see I'll sOrter got an idea you
might be lonesome and-and a bit
mad at me. an so ] thought maybe
/ better drop In an tell you how Il
all happened. But II don't look like
you was mad"
"NO. I'm not mad. ] fiared up for
a minute, but that's all over with.
amt botherin' none about that outfit"
$50 I see" somewhat more at ease
and crossing his legs. Il reckon that's
about the right way TO look at il.
Whatever made you pick me?'
"Why, naturally. ] took the hest
IOokin gone ! saw. Mister-Mister-"
shelby. Tom Shelby; SO you didn't
even know my nameT"
"No idea of what II was; picked
you out because you didn't live here
that's why. If you really want to
KNOW
Then you did know mer'
"No. didn't. | saw you at The
funeral an ! knew you want no
fonca man. didn't care who you
wns or where you came from. just no
you gave me a chance to get out o.
this hole. ] would marry an Indian
to get out"
''Then that was why you took me-
80 as 10 get out o. hereY
She nodded.
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