Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1946-07-19
CHAPTER iii

myers lOucneQ MS, her clear DUG
eyes looked into his, and he wa
vered. He redeemed to his hair and
felt his purpose growing soft at her
touch!
"You don't like to be thanked and
you won't tell me your name. Can't
you-trust me?"
If told you I couldn't stay here,
and l want to stay!" His voice
shook. In the Swallowed hall she
could see that he paled to the lips,
but his eyes held hers.
"You will stay?" she exclaimed,
and her hands trembled slightly as
she pressed them against the wall
behind her. Don't you realize that
you saved my brother? We're in
your debt"
There's no debt about tit was
my good luck; you owe me moth
Ing" he replied gravely. IF should
tell you why l came across those
mountains you might send me
away"
She was silent for a moment, and
her eyes looked at him steadily,
gravely. She seemed to challenge
him.
II haven't told my brother" she
said simply. Hes going to do all
he can for you; he's in bed now-1
made him 60, he was worn out
but you'll see him later. told him
nothing"
Hazlett was shaken; he stood star
ing at the first rays Of sunshine on
the threshold Of the open door.
(Which makes me your debtor"
he said at last, hoarsely. Then he
turned and saw her fine face and
her clear eyes and choked back the
words that came, ending abruptly:
"Why didn't you tell him?"
II didn't tell" she hesitated, and
added quickly-'because l want you
to stay!"
"You-you want me to stay?" he
exclaimed, his face aflame.
He got no answer. Quick as a
flash Jane opened the door behind
her, slipped in and shut it in his
face.
Suddenly, a door opened far down
the corridor and he heard Stenhart's
voice. 1t rang strong and hearty;
the invalid was getting WE'LL It was
like an electric shock to Hazlett.
He Strengthened himself, turned
sharply and went out of the house.
The sun had risen, the wide acres
Of the ranch were bathed in beauty,
doves were cooling in the trees,
James roses filed the air with fra
GRANGE. He turned and was going
toward the creek. He had forgotten
that he was hungry until he heard
old Mac shouting at him.
"Grub's waitin'!"
The old man was beckoning from
the low adobe in the rear. Hazlett
followed him into the clubhouse.
The vacqueros had bolted their food
and returned to the work of hunting
up the strays. There was no one
about but Mcdowell, All Ling and
old Teresa, the housekeeper. The
little brown woman chose to wait on
the stranger herself.
"You saved the senor," she said,
gazing at the young man with in
tent dark eyes.
He laughed. "By accident. I'm
not much of cowpuncher, Teresal"
"Madre de Dios, but you are a
brave man, senor!" she replied fill
ing his cup with All Ling's strong
coffee.
Teresa likes you heap better'n
she likes Stenhart," laughed old
Mac, lighting his pipe.
Hazlett looked around at the little
old woman. $50 you don't like STEM
hart?'
She shook her head violently,
crossing herself. He has got a dew
Il, senor!"
The young man laughed loudly,
thrusting his plate aside. Come"
he said, "tell me-what sort of a
devil?"
Teresa only shook her head more
violently than ever.
Old Mac, taking his pipe out of
his mouth, laughed outright. "What
you goin' to do, Teresa, when he
marries Jane?"
"God Forbid" said Teresa, roll
ulS uel eyes.
II heard it was comm off soon
as he got WE'LL" leased Mac.
The old woman gave him a fero-
cious look, scowling like a witch.
"Cal Then I will tell her." she
said bitterly. II will tell her what
kind of dreams he is having!"
Mcdowell chuckled. Dreams?
Nightmare, reckon-hello, there he
is now; they've got him out under
the trees, Jane an tn nurse. First
time, tool"
As he spoke he pointed out of the
window, and Hazlett saw the three
figures under a group Of live oaks.
Fanny Sewen was seating the con-
valescent in a large wicker arm
chair while Jane stood talking to
them.