The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1920-12-16
CHAPTER Iil-Continued.

Stralgnt Ter NJ, nope, tne Bur
falo Gap ]. p. burst out, forgetting
his clerical role in a sudden express
sion Of feeling. whatever caused the
fool to butt INF"
"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 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 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
q 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 rudy
light. the strange impression took pos
session as something entirely new.
And it served to strengthen his pur-
pose. He would not play the part OF
q 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-
ingly 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 trifle louder, intensely conscious of
q 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, so It is you back again?" she
asked coldly. "What did you wantf"
p "Just-just to have a word with
you-privately," he explained lamely,
blinking his eyes. I'll thought may
be could explain"
Explain whatT
"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, X you
want to; I'll hear what you have to
say"
Shelby never felt quite SO awkward
and impotent before In all his life, as
he did standing there, adding 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 1t was
furnished; a deal table, two chairs,
the stove, a 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-cleanllness. 1t was
evidenced in face and hands. in the
dark skirt and white waist, in the
smooth strands Of hair.
"Well," she said pleasantly. Il reckon
you might as well sit down, as long
as you are here"
He found a chair and dropped into
II, and she took the only other one,
her hands clasped In her lap and her
serious eyes watching him with I'M
disguised curiosity.
~ didn't expect to see you again"
she broke the silence which was be-
coming awkward. "What was 1t that
brought you back?"
"Fact is I don't know" he explained,
startled at the sound of his own voice.
"You see IL sorter got an idea you
might be lonesome and-and a bit
mad at me. an so ! thought maybe
I better drop In an tell you how 1t
all happened. But 1t don't look like
Tou was mad"
40. I'm not mad. flared up for
@ EsSnute, but that's all over with.
amt botherin' none about that outfit"
$50 I see." somewhat more at ease
and crossing his legs. ~ reckon that's
about the right way to look at 1t.
Whatever made you pick me?"
"Why. naturally, ! took the best
looirin gone ! saw. Mister-Mister-"
"shelby. Tom Shelby; SO you didn't
even know my nameT
mo idea Of what II was; I picked
ron out because you didn't live hare