Part 28 (2/2)

But Billy's eye remained sullen and jealous. He paid slight attention to the picture-book of soldiers and war that Jessamine gave him when we went over to the station. She had her own books, some flowers in pots, a rocking-chair, and a cosey lamp that shone on her bright face and dark dress. We drew stools from the office desks, and Billy perched silently on one.

”Scanty room for company!” Jessamine said. ”But we must make out this way--till we have another way.” She smiled on Lin, and Billy's face darkened. ”Do you know,” she pursued to me, ”with all those chickens Mr.

McLean tells me about, never a one has he thought to bring here.”

”Livin' or dead do you want 'em?” inquired Lin.

”Oh, I'll not bother you. Mr. Donohoe says he will--”

”Texas? Chickens? Him? Then he'll have to steal 'em!” And we all laughed together.

”You won't make me go back to Laramie, will you?” spoke Billy, suddenly, from his stool.

”I'd like to see anybody try to make you?” exclaimed Jessamine. ”Who says any such thing?”

”Lin did,” said Billy.

Jessamine looked at her lover reproachfully. ”What a way to tease him!”

she said. ”And you so kind. Why, you've hurt his feelings!”

”I never thought,” said Lin the boisterous. ”I wouldn't have.”

”Come sit here, Billy,” said Jessamine. ”Whenever he teases, you tell me, and we'll make him behave.”

”Honest?” persisted Billy.

”Shake hands on it,” said Jessamine.

”Cause I'll go to school. But I won't go back to Laramie for no one. And you're a-going to be Lin's wife, honest?”

”Honest! Honest!” And Jessamine, laughing, grew red beside her lamp.

”Then I guess mother can't never come back to Lin, either,” stated Billy, relieved.

Jessamine let fall the child's hand.

”Cause she liked him onced, and he liked her.”

Jessamine gazed at Lin.

”It's simple,” said the cow-puncher. ”It's all right.”

But Jessamine sat by her lamp, very pale.

”It's all right,” repeated Lin in the silence, s.h.i.+fting his foot and looking down. ”Once I made a fool of myself. Worse than usual.”

”Billy?” whispered Jessamine. ”Then you--But his name is Lusk!”

<script>