The Raymer enterprise., 1921-05-05
CHAPTER ilI-Continued.
-

Straight ter hi, ! hope" the Buf-
falo Gap J. P. burst out, forgetting
his clerical role In a sudden express
sion Of feeling. "Whatever caused the
fool to butt inr'
"Oh, he didn't intend nuthin'. Tom
amt that kind. He Just drifted Tong
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 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
q picture In 4 frame. one round arm
uplifted to grasp. the shade. He drew
Z quick breath. almost Of astonlsh-
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
a coward: he would 20 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.
inxly and In doubt. He was at the
door twice before he found sufScient
courage to knock lightly. There was
20 response and he used his knuckles
q trifie 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. 10 II 10 you back againT' she
asked coldly. "What did you wantT
"Just-just TO have . word with
you-privately," he explained lamely.
blinking his eyes. FL thought may.
Be I could explain"
Explain whatr
"why-why how this thing happen.
ed, Miss" His confusion rendered him
almost incoherent. you see. IL
don't want you to think I'm that sort"
"Oh, you don't1 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 In all his life, as
he did standing there, addling 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; 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-cleanliness II was
evidenced In face and hands. In the
dark skirt and white waist, In the
smooth strands Of hair.
Well" she said pleasantly. II reckon
you might as well sit down. as long
a 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 IN
dfsguised curiosity.
Il didn't expect to see you again."
she broke the silence which was b.
coming awkward. what was II that
brought you backr
Fact 10 don't know" he explained,
startled at the sound Of his own voice.
~You see IL sorter got an idea you
miyht be lonesome and-and a bit
mad at me. an % ! thought maybe
I better drop In an tell you how Il
al happened. But II don't look like
you WAS mad"
mo rm not mad. I hared up for
q minute, but that's all over with. !
amt botherin' none about that outfit"
so ] see." somewhat more at ease
and crossing bis legs Il reckon that's
about the right way to look at It
Whatsver made you pick ner'
why, naturally. took the best.
aoclrin gone nav. Mister-Mister-"
ssheiby. Tom Shelby; % you didn't
sven know ny manner
~No i6sa q wAat Il was; ! picked
- eue becanss ~ didn't liva bRe-