Part 15 (1/2)

CHAPTER XIII

”DO YOU SMOKE?”

Leviatt rode down through the gully where Miss Radford had first caught sight of Ferguson when he had entered the flat. He disappeared in this and five minutes later came out upon a ridge above it. The distance was too great to observe whether he turned to look back. But just before he disappeared finally they saw him sweep his hat from his head.

It was a derisive motion, and Miss Radford colored and shot a furtive glance at Ferguson.

The latter stood loosely beside her, his hat brim pulled well down over his forehead. As she looked she saw his eyes narrow and his lips curve ironically.

”What do you suppose he thought?” she questioned, her eyes drooping away from his.

”Him?” Ferguson laughed. ”I expect you could see from his actions that he wasn't a heap tickled.” Some thought was moving him mightily.

He chuckled gleefully. ”Now if you could only put what he was thinkin'

into your book, ma'am, it sure would make interestin' readin'.”

”But he saw you holding my hand!” she declared, aware of the uselessness of telling him this, but unable to repress her indignation over the thought that Leviatt had seen.

”Why, I expect he did, ma'am!” he returned, trying hard to keep the pleasure out of his voice. ”You see, he must have been lookin' right at us. But there ain't nothin' to be fl.u.s.tered over. I reckon that some day, if he's around, he'll see me holdin' your hand again.”

The red in her cheeks deepened. ”Why, how conceited you are!” she said, trying to be very severe, but only succeeding in making him think that her eyes were prettier than he had thought.

”I don't think I am conceited, ma'am,” he returned, smiling. ”I've liked you right well since the beginning. I don't think it's conceit to tell a lady that you're thinkin' of holdin' her hand.”

She was looking straight at him, trying to be very defiant. ”And so you have liked me?” she taunted. ”I am considering whether to tell you that I was not thinking of you as a possible admirer.”

His eyes flashed. ”I don't think you mean that, ma'am,” he said. ”You ain't treated me like you treated some others.”

”Some others?” she questioned, not comprehending.

He laughed. ”Them other Two Diamond men that took a s.h.i.+ne to you.

I've heard that you talked right sa.s.sy to them. But you ain't never been sa.s.sy to me. Leastways, you ain't never told me to 'evaporate'.”

She was suddenly convulsed. ”They have told you that?” she questioned.

And then not waiting for an answer she continued more soberly: ”And so you thought that in view of what I have said to those men you had been treated comparatively civilly. I am afraid I have underestimated you.

Hereafter I shall talk less intimately to you.”

”I wouldn't do that, ma'am,” he pleaded. ”You don't need to be afraid that I'll be too fresh.”

”Oh, dear!” she exclaimed, with a pretense of delight. ”It will be very nice to know that I can talk to you without fear of your placing a false construction on my words. But I am not afraid of you.”

He stepped back from the rock, hitching at his cartridge belt. ”I'm goin' over to the Two Diamond now, ma'am,” he said. ”And since you've said you ain't afraid of me, I'm askin' you if you won't go ridin' with me tomorrow. There's a right pretty stretch of country about fifteen miles up the crick that you'd be tickled over.”

Should she tell him that she had explored all of the country within thirty miles? The words trembled on her lips but remained unspoken.

”Why, I don't know,” she objected. ”Do you think it is quite safe?”

He smiled and stepped away from her, looking back over his shoulder.

”Thank you, ma'am,” he said. ”I'll ride over for you some time in the mornin'.” He continued down the hill, loose stones rattling ahead of him. She looked after him, radiant.