The Ely miner., 1929-11-22


fused and insisted that he come with
her.
had sure feeling that Danny
would return, and that she and Gaby
would have something to say to each
other. went into the kitchen.
stepped back into the lass-pantry. and
opened the pass-window a crack.
Just as opened the window heard
John say, II thought Danny was In
here"
NO" Gaby said. "But won't you
come in and talk to met"
"What about?' ......
"About-this."
l dared not peek, so l did not know
what she meant until she said. "Why
won't. you kiss met"
"Shan | say, | don't want to pick
flowers in Hubert Hands yard?"
81 hate you'll"
Don't be sore at me, Gaby,- John
said But I'm telling you. that's a
lot nearer the truth than-than what
you usually say"
John was one Of the poorest talk
ers ever heard One Of those strong,
silent men supposed to abound In the
West, and who are likewise supposed
to make every word that they say
count If Johns did. they counted
backwards.
my dear, haven't 1 proven over and
over again that love you? In every
way. | have made myself ridiculous
here. because l haven't been able to
conceal my feelings for you"
Il think" John said. THAT most of
that stuff you pull is just to spite
Danny. 1t doesn't spite her, though
She knows she's the only girl in the
world for me. wish you'd cut it
out-an of that, Gabby. Won't you.
and just be good friends?"
You'd not want me for an enemy,
would your"
Getting at anything. going any
place, Gaby?"
perhaps. II Danny should hear
that you have made love to me-"
81 have never made love to you. II
would be your word against mine. /
think Danny would take mine, If it
came TO a showdown Listen here.
child; don't you try to make trouble
between Danny and me-"
Meaning"
Nothing. Except that ii wouldn't
be healthy for anyone who tried it"
"Boo-oo! Dangerous Dan McGrew
stuff? Out where men are men?
Killer loose tonight-an that. eh,
Johnnie?"
door opened. "John." came In
Danny's voice, uncle is looking every
where for you"
"What," Danny questioned. when
the door had closed behind John,
made you both look so angry, just
now?"
"Never mind. Are you going to that
fools celebration, with only day or
two left, nowT
Il suppose not, If you don't want me
to. I'd love going. | know there is
no use In staying here"
in other words, you would sacrifice
my future for a rodeo? | more than
half believe that you know"
"What possible object could have?
MANY, my dear. Very many.
Though | think that getting rid of me
would outweigh the others Listen to
me. Danielle Canneziano, if thought
that you were keeping this from me,
in order to bury me alive in this God
forsaken hole. and force me to watch
you and John"
"GabyI'
i've been a fooll Why can't l
learn to take into consideration your
d-n moralities? Understand this.
Dan. Don't fancy for one instant that
failure is going to keep me here. Did
my hands, that I'd stand for anything
less than fifty-fifty proposition? Our
original plan would have been better
easier, simpler. But I'll have my
share out of this. anyway. So, If you
do know"
"Gaby. don't know. I'll swear that
don't How could I? But surely
you wouldn't-wouldn't attempt"
THAT is for you to say, darling"
Darling, as she said it then, was as
wicked a word as | had ever lis
tened to.
For me to say!
"Give John TO me. I've changed my
mind. If you'll do that, I'll stay right
here, and settle down. and do an imi-
tation Of a moral, model wife that
would satisfy even you"
"Gaby. you speak as II John were
a child's toy, to be passed about
couldn't give him to you, If I were
willing to-"
You could, and you know II. You
won't. So, that's that But keep your
righteous fingers out of my life; stop
your d-n preaching, and meddling. I
am going to the cabin now. You
would better come with me-"
We've searched that cabin a thou
sand times"
"All the same. 1t is the one logical
place; far removed. and under cover"
The cabin is the one Sam built to
live in when he first came to the val
ley- 1t is up Boulder creek. about
half a mile from the ranchhouse.
Sam has kept ii in repair. inside and
out: owing. ! think. to sentimental
memories, though he declares it Is be-
cause he dislikes wreckage on the
place. When John and Martha were
little things, Sam used to hide their
Christmas presents up there, under
the shelf In the kitchen.