It
was hard to speak the words which would banish the sorrow from her
eyes and make them brilliant with hope and shut him away from her
thoughts with a barrier higher than mountains, and broader than seas.
"I have brought you news," he said at last, reluctantly.
She did not change.
"About Dan Barry."
Ay, she changed swiftly enough at that! He could not meet the fear and
question of her glance. He looked away and saw the red rim of the sun
pushing up above the hills. And colour poured up the throat of Kate
Cumberland, up even to her forehead beneath the blowing golden hair.
Haines jerked his sombrero lower on his head. A curse tumbled up to
his lips and he had to set his teeth to keep it back.
"But I have heard his whistle."
Her lips moved but made no sound.
"Five other men heard him."
She cried out as if he had hurt her, but the hurt was happiness. He
knew it and winced, for she was wonderfully beautiful.
"In the willows of the river bottom, a good twenty miles south," he
said at last, "and I will show you the way, if you wish."
He watched her eyes grow large with doubt.
"Can you trust me?" he asked. "I failed you once. Can you trust me
now?"
Her hand went out to him.
Pages:
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111