Part 41 (1/2)
h.e.l.lo, Fowler! What the devil are you doing out here?”
”Come in and have a bite of grub, Falkner,” exclaimed the preacher.
”Don't care if I do!” Charleton threw a weary leg across the saddle and dismounted. Douglas, who had finished his meal, returned to the bunk and Charleton took his place.
”Kind of funny to find you and Doug eating together,” said Charleton.
”He should have given me a swift kick,” agreed Douglas. ”Instead, he fed me.”
”That's sound religion, isn't it?” asked Mr. Fowler, pouring Charleton a cup of coffee.
”It's sound hospitality, anyhow,” replied Charleton.
”Aw, any one would admit Fowler lives up to his faith,” expostulated Douglas.
Charleton glanced at the young rider in surprise. ”What's happened to you, old trapper?”
”Nothing. Only I wish I had the same religion he's got.”
”So's you could herd the sheep?” asked Charleton.
”So's I could have peace,” retorted Douglas.
”Peace? What does a kid like you want of peace? Anybody that can't find peace in Lost Chief is a fool.”
”I'm no fool!” contradicted Doug, with a growing irritation at Charleton for interrupting his talk with Fowler. ”And where is there a peaceful person in Lost Chief?”
”Douglas,” said Charleton, ”when you are as old as I am you'll realize that Lost Chief is as near heaven as man can hope to get. A poke of salt and a gun on your saddle, a blanket tied behind, a good horse under you, the Persian poet in your pocket, all time and the ranges before you, and what more could mortal man desire?”
”A woman, you've always said before,” grunted Douglas.
”I was holding back out of respect to the sky pilot,” laughed Charleton.
”But since you mentioned it, there's Inez, who's always ready for a trip.”
Mr. Fowler shot a quick look at Douglas, who again grunted indifferently and rolled a cigarette.
”Are you and Douglas partners, Falkner?” asked the preacher.
”Once in a while. Why are you herding sheep, Fowler? This herd yours?”
”No. They belong to a Denver man. I'm herding because I couldn't keep a church together.”
Charleton nodded. ”The day of the church is over.”
There was silence during which Charleton devoured beans, Douglas smoked, and the preacher sat with his eyes on the slow moving herd.
Finally Charleton said, ”And why do you think something is the matter with Lost Chief, Douglas?”
”In other parts of the country,” replied Douglas, his blue eyes fixed unwaveringly on Charleton's dark face, ”among people of our kind and breed, a girl like Judith couldn't run with a girl like Inez and be considered decent. And a couple like Jimmy and Little Marion couldn't have a party a week after they were married, the baby attending, and be considered O.K. by the so-called best folks and nothing more said.”
Charleton's face grew darkly red. ”Who told you that?” he asked in an ugly voice.