Part 15 (1/2)
”I wasn't running away!” she declared, suppressing a chuckle. ”Honest, I wasn't. It's field day. I've been doing stunts and I just ached for a real, regular ride. It's so grand to be astride a horse and feel the world is yours! When did you come home?”
”I haven't come home. I am on my way to Fowler's to subpoena a witness, and I rode this way meaning to stop but a moment. I came over the big hill just as you rode into the ring.”
She stole a look at his impa.s.sive face.
”And you saw the sports?”
”Yes; and rode on after you--”
”Because you feared your prisoner might be taking French leave? No; this is the end of the rainbow to me. I have no desire to leave--at present.”
They were riding slowly on.
”Where did you learn to ride?”
”I don't remember; it was so long ago.”
”_That_ was circus riding.”
”It did look like it,” she said deprecatingly.
”If you can ride like that, why did you leave the circus for the life--”
”Of a crook?” she finished. ”Suppose I stole a horse and sold it and had to vamoose. Even circus managers don't employ thieves.”
”Who gave you permission to ride to-day?” he demanded.
She pulled from the pocket of her blouse a program and handed it to him.
”You see I was featured,” she explained modestly.
He read it with a frown expressive of displeasure.
”Did Mrs. Kingdon know you were going to do this?”
”No one but one of the men knew.”
”How did you come to meet the men?”
”The children introduced me to one of them and I met the others at the dance. I never knew what dancing really meant until then. I've learned to play a very gamey game, too. c.r.a.ps.”
With a jerk Kurt brought his horse to a halt and reaching over caught her bridle as she was about to spur her horse onward.
”Did you tell Mrs. Kingdon everything?” he asked sternly.
”Everything I could remember,” she replied demurely. ”Far more than I told you.”
”What did she say?”
”She is going to talk to you and ask you to leave the entire matter in her hands.”