Rhodes Eugene Manlove - Bransford of Rainbow Range стр 8.

At this envenomed description, Miss Ellinor Hoffman promptly choked.

I dont know anything about your Aqua Chiquite. I never heard of the place before. He is a banker in Arcadia. He keeps a general store there. You must know him, surely. So far her voice was rather stern and purposely resentful, as became Mr. Lakes guest; but there were complications, rankling memories of Mr. Lake of unwelcome attentions persistently forced upon her. She spoiled the rebuke by adding tartly, But I think he is the man you mean! and felt her wrongs avenged.

The cowboys face cleared.

Well, I dont use Arcadia much, you see. I mostly range down Rainbow River. Arcadia folks why, theyre mostly newcomers, health-seekers and people just living on their incomes not working folks much, except the railroaders and lumbermen. Now about getting home. You see, maam, some of the boys are riding down that way he jerked his thumb to indicate the last flight of the imperfectly gentle horse and theyre right apt to see my runaway eohippus and sure to see the rope-drag; so theyll likely amble along the back track to see how much whos hurt. So I guess Id better stay here. They may be along most any time. Thank you kindly, just the same. Of course, if they dont come at all Is your camp far?

Not not very, said Ellinor. The mere fact was that Miss Ellinor had set out ostensibly for a sketching expedition with another girl, had turned aside to explore, and exploring had fetched a circuit that had left her much closer to her starting-place than to her goal. He misinterpreted the slight hesitation.

Well, maam, thank you again; but I mustnt be keeping you longer. I really ought to see you safe back to your camp; but youll understand under the circumstances youll excuse me?

He did not want to implicate Mr. Lake, so he took a limping step forward to justify his rudeness.

And you hardly able to walk? Ridiculous! What I ought to do is to go back to camp and get some one get Mr. White to help you. Thus, at once accepting his unspoken explanation, and offering her own apology in turn, she threw aside the air of guarded hostility that had marked the last minutes and threw herself anew into this joyous adventure. When or if your friends find you, wont it hurt you to ride? she asked, and smiled deliberate encouragement.

I can be as modest as anybody when theres anything to be modest about; but in this case I guess Ill now declare that I can ride anything that a saddle will stay on I reckon, he added reflectively, the boysll have right smart to say about me being throwed.

But you werent thrown! You rode magnificently! Her eyes flashed admiration.

Yesm. Thats what I hoped youd say, said the admired one complacently. Go on, maam. Say it again.

It was splendid! The saddle turned thats all!

He slowly surveyed the scene of his late exploit.

Ye es, that was some riding for a while, he admitted. But you see, that saddle now, scarred up that way why, theyll think the eohippus wasted me and then dragged the saddle off under a tree. Leastways, theyll say they think so, frequent. Best not to let on and to make no excuses. Itll be easier that way. Were great on guying here. Thats most all the fun we have. We sure got this joshing game down fine. Just wondering what all the boysd say that was why I didnt get out of the water at first, before before I thought I was asleep, you know.

So youll actually tell a lie to keep from being thought a liar? Im disappointed in you.

Why, maam, I wont say anything. Theyll do the talking.

Itll be deceitful, just the same, she began, and checked herself suddenly. A small twinge struck her at the thought of poor Maud, really sketching on Thumb Butte, and now disconsolately wondering what had become of lunch and fellow-artist; but she quelled this pang with a sage thought of the greatest good to the greatest number, and clapped her hands in delight. Oh, what a silly I am, to be sure! Ive got a lunch basket up there, but I forgot all about it in the excitement. Im sure theres plenty for two. Shall I bring it down to you or can you climb up if I help you? Theres water in the canteen and its beautiful up there.

I can make it, I guess, said the invited guest the consummate and unblushing hypocrite. Make it he did, with her strong hand to aid; and the glen rang to the laughter of them. While behind them, all unnoted, Johnny Dines reined up on the hillside; took one sweeping glance at that joyous progress, the scarred hillside, the saddle and the dejected eohippus in the background; grinned comprehension, and discreetly withdrew.

CHAPTER III

MAXWELTON BRAES

Well, sir, this here feller, he lit a cigarette an throwed away the match, an it fell in a powder kaig; an do you know, moren half that powder burned up before they could put it out! Yes, sir!

Ellinor opened her basket and spread its tempting wares with pretty hostly care or is there such a word as hostessly?

There! All ready, Mr.  I declare, this is too absurd! We dont even know each others names! Her conscious eye fell upon the ampleness of the feast amazing, since it purported to have been put up for one alone; and her face lit up with mischievous delight. She curtsied. If you please, Im the Ultimate Consumer!

He rose, bowing gravely.

I am the Personal Devil. Glad to meet you.

Oh! Ive heard of you! remarked the Ultimate Consumer sweetly. She sat down and extended her hand across the spotless linen. Mr. Lake says

The Personal Devil flushed. It was not because of the proffered hand, which he took unhesitatingly and held rather firmly. The blush was unmistakably caused by anger.

There is no connection whatever, he stated, grimly enough, between the truth and Mr. Lakes organs of speech.

Oh! cried the Ultimate Consumer triumphantly. So youre Mr. Beebe?

Bransford Jeff Bransford, corrected the Personal Devil crustily. He wilfully relapsed to his former slipshod speech. Beebe, hes gone to the Pecos work, him and Ballinger. Mr. John Wesley Also-Ran Pringles gone to Old Mexico to bring back another bunch of black, long-horned Chihuahuas. You now behold before you the last remaining Rose of Rosebud. But, why Beebe?

Why does Mr. Lake hate all of you so, Mr. Bransford?

Because we are infamous scoundrels. Why Beebe?

I cant eat with one hand, Mr. Bransford, she said demurely. He looked at the prisoned hand with a start and released it grudgingly. Help yourself, said his hostess cheerfully. Theres sandwiches, and roast beef and olives, for a mild beginning.

Why Beebe? he said doggedly.

Help yourself to the salad and then please pass it over this way. Thank you.

Why Beebe?

Oh, very well then! Because of the little eohippus, you know and other things you said.

I see! said the aggrieved Bransford. Because Im not from Ohio, like Beebe, Im not supposed

Oh, if youre going to be fussy! Im from California myself, Mr. Bransford. Out in the country at that. Dont lets quarrel, please. We were having such a lovely time. And Ill tell you a secret. Its ungrateful of me, and I ought not to; but I dont care I dont like Mr. Lake much since we came on this trip. And I dont believe She paused, pinkly conscious of the unconventional statement involved in this sudden unbelief.