Part 13 (2/2)
You fire that Perris, and when he's gone, send me word over to the hotel in Lawrence. That's where I'll go.”
Hervey appeared dubious with great skill.
”I'll take the note, Jordan,” he said, putting all the despair he could summon into his tone. ”But it sure goes hard--the idea of losing my place up here. I've been in the Valley so long, you see, that it's like a home to me.”
”And who the devil said anything about you leaving? Ain't I just now about to give you a note to run the ranch while I'm gone?”
”Sure you are. And I'll take it--and fire Perris. But when you come back--that's the end of me!”
”What?”
”You know how your daughter is. She'll plumb hate me when I come back with orders to run things. She'll think I asked for 'em.”
”I'll tell her different.”
”Were you ever able to convince her, once she made up her mind?”
”H-m-m,” growled Jordan.
”And she'll never rest till things are so hot for me that I got to get out. Not that I grudge it, Jordan. I'd give up more than this job for your sake. Only it sure makes me homesick to think about starting out at my time of life and riding herd for a strange outfit.”
”You ride for another outfit?” said Jordan. ”And after you've worked this game on Perris for me? I'll tell you what, Lew, if you get Perris safe off the ranch you can stop worrying. You're foreman for life! You have my word for it.”
”But suppose--” protested Hervey faintly.
”Suppose nothing. You have my word. Besides, I'm tired of talking!”
With well-acted diffidence, Lew held out the paper, which Oliver Jordan s.n.a.t.c.hed and smoothed on his knee. Then Hervey rode closer, lighted a match, and held it so that the rancher could see to write.
”Dear Marianne,” scrawled the pencil, ”this is to let you know that I have to go on business to--”
”Better not tell her where,” suggested Hervey. ”She might send after and ask a lot of bothersome questions. You know the way a woman is.”
”You sure got a fine head for business, Lew,” nodded Jordan, and continued his note: ”to a town across the mountains and it may be a few days before I get back. I met Lew on the road, so I'm letting him take this note back to you Another thing: I've told Lew about several things I want done while I'm gone. Easier than explaining them all to you, honey, he can do them himself and tell you later.
Affectionately,”
As he scrawled the signature Hervey suggested softly: ”Suppose you put down at the bottom: 'This will serve as authority to Lew Hervey to act in my name while I'm away.'”
”Sure,” nodded Jordan, as he scribbled the dictated words. ”Marianne is a stickler for form. She'll want something like that to convince her.”
He shoved the paper into the trembling hand of Lew Hervey, and sighed with weariness.
”Chief,” muttered Hervey, finding that even in the darkness he could not look into the tired, pain-worn face of the rancher, ”I sure hope you never have no call to be sorry for this.”
”Sorry? I ain't bothering about that. So long, Lew.”
But Lew Hervey had suddenly lost his voice. He could only wave his adieu.
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