Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1946-12-13
CHAPTER XIII


before he had chance to steal any,
thing. Though, of course, it's not
usual for burglar to be supplied
with knife as weapon--I don't
believe he brought the weapon with
him. I believe that he used one of
the victims own knives-a large
kitchen knife" He broke off, scar
let and embarrassed as he saw Me-
gan's white, twisted face. He apollo
gized hastily, Good grief, Miss Mac
lavish II ought to be kicked!
Please forgive me-I'm thoroughly
ashamed-Larry, you ought to have
better sense than to allow me out
with your friends. I'm sorry, Miss
MacTavish-I do apologize"
Megan managed faint smile and
said huskily, please don't-I-1 am
a bit squeamish, suppose. You
see-1 knew her we'll"
Bob nodded soberly. II know
everybody says you are the only real
friend she had. Everybody else
seemed to dislike her and distrust
her. guess that's the reason I
was speaking so frankly. Let's for
get it. After all, meal like this de-
serves more cheerful and apprecia-
tive table conversational"
When the meal was over, and the
men were settled in the living room,
Megan stayed to help Annie clear
the table. And while she was thus
engaged, Laurence came back into
the dining room, and stood at her
shoulder and said very low, II just
wanted you to know, Meggie, that
everything is quite all right. There's
nothing at all for you to worry
about
Megan looked up at him, tears
thick in her eyes, her mouth trem-
ulous, '1-met him by accident, Lar
~. l didn't plan it-truly."
He looked down at her, frowning.
But - good heavens, Meggie,
don't you suppose know that?" he
protested, almost as though he re-
scented her feeling that she should
offer such an explanation.
She caught her breath and a wave
of relief swept over her. She smiled
through her tears and said huskily,
Thanks, Larry"
For what?" The frown still drew
his eyebrows together. For know
ing that you couldn't possibly do
anything wrong? For knowing that
you couldn't make, or keep a tryst
with man tied up as Falon is?
For Heavens sake, Meggie-I've
known you since you were baby
don't you suppose l know you well
enough to know that if you met Tom
Fallon on the Ridge at midnight, it
was an accidental meeting?"
Laurence hesitated moment and
then he said quietly, "I'd like to ask
you something, Meggie-mind?"
''No, of course not"
"Then - are you in love with
Fallon?"
The words were quietly spoken,
but they took her breath so that she
could only look up at him, unable
to speak. But the way the color
flowed into her face, the look in her
eyes gave him all the answer he
needed.
$50 that's why you-couldn't get
excited about marrying me-" he
said after moment, very quietly.
She set her teeth hard in her low
er lip, not daring to trust her voice
to answer him, and after a little
he said in a tone of the greatest
gentlenoss, Poor little Meggie! AL
ways doing things the hard wayl"
By now she had steadied her
voice, and she faced him straightly.
"If-you'll j-j-just give me a little
time, Larry" she managed.
His brows were drawn deep now
in a frown and his look was puz-
zled. "a little time, Meggie?" he
repeated. "For what?"
ITO pull myself together and get
over this - this - greatness about
Tom," she said. because l will,
you know. I'll-I'll get over it and
maybe if you haven't got disgust
ed with me before that
"Oh, I'll be around, Meggie. Is
that what you mean?" asked Larry,
and now there was a grimness in
his voice, GOODNESS in his eyes that
chilled her a little. "You are the
only girl for me. You've always
been. Pm slow and plodding cuss,
but once l get my mind-and my
heart-made up, hold on. Like the
good old swapping turtle that gets
grip and swings on until you have
to kill him to make him let go. But
what makes you so sure that you
can get over what you feel for Fal-
lon?"
because I'm going tot" she told
him with determination.
He turned away from her then as
Bob called to him from the hall, and
little later they we're gone.