The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-02-16

slammed in his face and Shelby heard
the sharp snap Of lock.
"Well. I'll be d-d!" calculated
Mac, his temper utterly giving way.
IF she amt wildcat! Lord. but I'd
sure pity the Teller who did marry
her. Come on. old buck. there is no
use stayin' here. wonder where
Shelby went?"
Straight ter HI, I hope" the Buf.
falo Gap j. r. burst out, forgetting
his clerical role inc n sudden express
sion of feeling. whatever caused the
fool to butt in?"
"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 II the girl appeared fully
revealed in the glare and drew down
the curtain. He saw her clearly, like
picture In frame. one round arm
uplifted to grasp the shade. He drew
n 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: hut 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
Il coward: he would 80 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
n trtle louder. intensely conscious of
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 want?"
"Just-just to have word with
you-privately." he explained lamely.
blinking his eyes. IL thought may.
be could explain"
Explain what?"
"Why-why how this thing happen
ed. Miss" His confusion rendered him
almost incoherent. you see. IL
don't want you to think Tin that sort"
'Oh. you don't? Well. I'm not that
sort. either. Come along in. II you
want to; ri hear what you have to
say"
Shelby never felt quite so awkward
and impotem before in all his life. az
he did standing there. tiddiing with
the hat in his hand. while the girl
carefully closed the door behind him.
Fer own appearance of ease. even Of
enjoyment. only added to his deep elm.
I barrassinpnt.
For the first time he really took
notice of the room. how plainly it WAS
furnished: deal table. TWO chairs,
the stove. a few hooks IN a shelf. with
a small clock between. Everything
looked cheap. hut immediately clean.
and as his eyes wandered back to the
girl. tina, was what Impressed him
most about her-cleanliness. It 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 chair and dropped into
1t, and she took the only other one,
her hands clasped in her lap and her
serious eyes watching him with un-
disguised curiosity.
~ didn't expect to see you again."
she broke the silence which was be-
coming awkward. "What was it that
brought you back?"
"Fact is 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 bit
mad at me. an so I thought maybe
! better drop. in an tell you how 1t
all happened. But it don't look like
you was mad"
mo, I'm not mad. f1ared up for
minute, but that's all over with. !
amt botherin' none about that outfit"
$50 see." somewhat more at ease
and crossing his legs. Il reckon that's
about the right way to look at 1t.
Whatever made you pick me?"
"Why. naturally. took the best
lookin gone saw. Mister-Mister--"
SHELBY, Tom Shelby; SO you didn't
even know my manner"
"No idea of what 1t was: picked
you out because you didn't live here
that's why. IL you really want to
know" tr
"Then you did know me?"
"No, didn't. saw you at the