The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1920-11-19
CHAPTER discontinued.


straight ter HI. hope" the BUFF
falo Gap j. p. burst out, forgetting
his clerical role In sudden expires
sion Of feeling Whatever caused The
fool to butt infr
'sOh, he didn't intend nuthin' Tom
aint that kind He just drifted long
tier see the fun. Yer can't blame him
fcause the CURL 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 unobstructed blaze of light
poured forth. but even as he stood
staring at II the girl appeared fully
revealed In the glare and drew down
the curtain. He saw her clearly, like
a picture In frame, one round arm
uplifted TO grasp the shade. He drew
quick breath. almost OF astonish-
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 II served TO strengthen his pur.
pose. He would not play the part of
coward: he would so 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-
ingIy 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
trltle louder, Intensely conscious Of
a desire 10 turn and run away. But
there was no opportunity. The latch
clicked sharply and the light streamed
directly into his face. fairly binding
him.
"0h, so II is you back agalng" she
asked coldly. "what did you wantT'
"Just--just to have word with
you--privateiy," he explained lamely,
blinking his eyes. I'll thought may
be could explain"
Explain what2" u.
'why-why how this thing happen
ed. Miss" His confusion rendered him
almost incoherent. "You see. IL
don't want you TO think Tn that sort"
''oh. you don't2 Well. I'm not that
sort. either Come along In, IL you
want to; I'll hear what you have TO
say"
Shelby never felt quite so awkward
and tmpotent before in all his life. as
he did standing there, tiddling 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-
harrasSment.
For the first time he really took
notice OF the room, how plainly II was
furnished; q deal table, two chairs.
the stove. few hooks on shelf, with
small clock between. Everything
looked cheap, hut Immediately clean,
and, as his eyes wandered back to the
girl. that was what impressed him
most about her--cieanllness. 1t was
evidenced In face and hands. In the
dark skirt and white waist in the
smooth strands Of hair,
We'll" she said pleasantly, ii reckon
YOU might ms well sit down, as long
as Won are here"
He found chair and dropped into
II, and she took the only other one,
her hands ciasped in her lap and her
serious eyes watching him with un-
disguised curiosity.
u Gidn't expect TO see YOU again."
she broke the silence which was he
coming awkward what was IL that
brought you hacks"
Fact Is | don't know" he explained,
startled N the sound af his own voi.'e.
''Sou see III sorter GOT an idea son
might he lonesome and-Rud hit
mad M me. an SO ! thought maybe
j better drop in an tell you how ii
ell happened But IL don't look like
you was mad"
~Na. I'm NOT mad. Jared up for
a minute. bur that's all ever with. i
ainf butheTin. none about that outfit"
$50 see" somewhat more at ease
and crossing his legs. Il reckon that's
about the right way 10 look at it
Whatever made y0u pick meg"
"why. naturally. l took the best
Iookin gone saw, Mister Mister
shelby. Tom Shelby; SO you didn't
even know my nameyr
mo idea of what ii was; picked
Sou out because yon didn't live here