"Oh, you little fool!" In her irritation the widow bestowed a smart slap
on the girl's shoulder. But she spoiled the moral effect the next second
by gathering her in her arms. "Don't you know that up in the States
girls take on a new beau every Saturday night and break the engagement
the following Sunday?"
But the precedent produced only a second envious sigh. "I wish _I_ could
do it. I guess I wasn't brought up right."
"'Tisn't training; it's heredity. You're your father over again; will go
your own way. I wash my hands of you."
That charitable process known as "washing one's hands of anybody" was,
however, the last thing Mrs. Mills was capable of. The assertion simply
marked a change of plan which, rising early next morning, she
inaugurated when she caught Bull on his way to the stables.
Though he had sat next to her during the long pleasant evening that
followed supper last night, the others' presence had debarred private
communications. Content to hear her voice running with Lee's in happy
chatter--so content, indeed, that he forgot for the time being the
impending trouble--Bull had smoked furiously in the dusk till they
retired to bed.
He listened, now, in silence while the widow told of Lee's engagement.
But the sudden lowering of his black brows was far more dangerous than
any threat. She laid her hand on his arm in sudden alarm.
"Easy, my friend. Don't be too quick. She isn't married yet, and won't
be--if you leave it to me."
More powerful than the plea was her gentle pressure. Apart from certain
accidental contacts, before mentioned, which had caused him such
pleasurable embarrassment, it was the first time she had actually
touched him. Big, burly, black giant that he was, he still trembled like
a school-girl; trembled so violently that she felt it and dropped both
her hand and her eyes. Transferring the embarrassment to herself, that
helped him mightily. He was the first to break a confused but happy
silence.
"What do you want me to do?"
"Nothing, just now, except to let Gordon ride with me a piece of the way
home."
It was impossible to overlook his sudden disappointment. With
characteristic frankness she did not wait for him to tell it. "I'd
rather have you; there are so many things I want to consult you about.
Dear me!" Her little vexed face was very comforting; it expressed such
sincere feeling. "These young folks certainly do make one a lot of
trouble. Betty wanted you _so_ badly at my party--and so did I; but we
just had to ask Gordon to help Lee out. But I'm going to settle this
business right quick. And when it is all over--you will come and make us
a real visit, won't you?"
Wouldn't he? His nod and effulgent grin expressed happiness in the
prospect beyond the powers of his slow tongue. Satisfied, she proceeded.
"So let me have him this once. Lee is going to ride a few miles with us,
and before she comes back--"
But the matter of her communication is covered by her talk with Gordon,
whom she caught coming out of the bunk-house five minutes later.
"I argued with her half the night," she told him, walking along at his
side. "Goodness me, young man, you don't know what you are up against!
Such obstinacy! Lucky for you that it is balanced by a sweet temper and
strong sense of justice. All I gained was her promise to beg off from
Ramon. She plans to go over and see him some time this week, and if she
does--well, with Isabel loving her to death, the old man tendering sage
advice, and Ramon passionately pleading his cause, they'll have her to
the priest and married before she has time to think. She mustn't go."
"But if she is so obstinate--" Gordon began.
"I'll take care of that. I shall call on Ramon on the way home and
explain the true state of his lady's heart. Of course he'll raise Cain
and probably damn me for a black-hearted liar, but I can stand it. The
point is--he will come right over here. In the mean time you must get
busy. A declaration in hand is worth two suspected, and though I've
hinted very strongly that you are not altogether indifferent to her
sweet self, it will make Ramon's task ten times harder if she hears it
from your lips. Now listen!"
The rest was plot, dark and devious. Lee had promised to ride with her a
few miles on the homeward journey, and Bull would detail him, Gordon,
for her escort. Coming back, he would have all the time in the world.