Once on their way, Mr. Brices spirits returned. I told you last night, he said, that I hoped to meet you the next time with a better introduction. You suggested your uncles. Well, are you satisfied?
But you didnt come to see ME, said the girl mischievously.
How do you know what my intentions were? returned the young man gayly, gazing at the girls charming face with a serious doubt as to the singleness of his own intentions.
Oh, because I know, she answered, with a toss of her brown head. I heard what you said to uncle Harry.
Mr. Brices brow contracted. Perhaps you saw me, too, when I came, he said, with a slight touch of bitterness as he thought of his reception.
Miss Flo laughed. Brice walked on silently; the girl was heartless and worthy of her education. After a pause she said demurely, I knew he wouldnt hurt youbut YOU didnt. Thats where you showed your grit in walking straight on.
And I suppose you were greatly amused, he replied scornfully.
The girl lifted her arms a little wearily, as with a half sigh she readjusted her brown braids under her uncles gray slouch hat, which she had caught up as she passed out. Thar aint much to laugh at here! she said. But it was mighty funny when you tried to put your hat straight, and then found thur was that bullet hole right through the brim! And the way you stared at itLordy!
Her musical laugh was infectious, and swept away his outraged dignity. He laughed too. At last she said, gazing at his hat, It wont do for you to go back to your folks wearin that sort o thing. Here! Take mine! With a saucy movement she audaciously lifted his hat from his head, and placed her own upon it.
But this is your uncles hat, he remonstrated.
All the same; he spoiled yours, she laughed, adjusting his hat upon her own head. But Ill keep yours to remember you by. Ill loop it up by this hole, and itll look mighty purty. Jes see! She plucked a wild rose from a bush by the wayside, and, passing the stalk through the bullet hole, pinned the brim against the crown by a thorn. There, she said, putting on the hat again with a little affectation of coquetry, hows that?
Mr. Brice thought it very picturesque and becoming to the graceful head and laughing eyes beneath it, and said so. Then, becoming in his turn audacious, he drew nearer to her side.
I suppose you know the forfeit of putting on a gentlemans hat?
Apparently she did, for she suddenly made a warning gesture, and said, Not here! It would be a bigger forfeit than youd keer fo. Before he could reply she turned aside as if quite innocently, and passed into the shade of a fringe of buckeyes. He followed quickly. I didnt mean that, she said; but in the mean time he had kissed the pink tip of her ear under its brown coils. He was, nevertheless, somewhat discomfited by her undisturbed manner and serene face. Ye dont seem to mind bein shot at, she said, with an odd smile, but it wont do for you to kalkilate that EVERYBODY shoots as keerfully as uncle Harry.
I dont understand, he replied, struck by her manner.
Ye aint very complimentary, or youd allow that other folks might be wantin what you took just now, and might consider you was poachin, she returned gravely. My best and strongest holt among those men is that uncle Harry would kill the first one who tried anything like that onand they know it. Thats how I get all the liberty I want here, and can come and go alone as I like.
Brices face flushed quickly with genuine shame and remorse. Do forgive me, he said hurriedly. I didnt thinkIm a brute and a fool!
Uncle Harry allowed you was either drunk or a born idiot when you was promenadin into the valley just now, she said, with a smile.
And what did you think? he asked a little uneasily.
I thought you didnt look like a drinkin man, she answered audaciously.
Brice bit his lip and walked on silently, at which she cast a sidelong glance under her widely spaced heavy lashes and said demurely, I thought last night it was mighty good for you to stand up for your frien Yuba Bill, and then, after ye knew who I was, to let the folks see you kinder cottoned to me too. Not in the style o that land-grabber Heckshill, nor that peart newspaper man, neither. Of course I gave them as good as they sent, she went on, with a little laugh, but Brice could see that her sensitive lip in profile had the tremulous and resentful curve of one who was accustomed to slight and annoyance. Was it possible that this reckless, self-contained girl felt her position keenly?
I am proud to have your good opinion, he said, with a certain respect mingled with his admiring glance, even if I have not your uncles.
Oh, he likes you well enough, or he wouldnt have hearkened to you a minute, she said quickly. When you opened out about them greenbacks, I jes clutched my cheer SO, she illustrated her words with a gesture of her hands, and her face actually seemed to grow pale at the recollection,and I nigh started up to stop ye; but that idea of Yuba Bill bein robbed TWICE I think tickled him awful. But it was lucky none o the gang heard ye or suspected anything. I reckon thats why he sent me with you,to keep them from doggin you and askin questions that a straight man like you would be sure to answer. But they darent come nigh ye as long as Im with you! She threw back her head and rose-crested hat with a mock air of protection that, however, had a certain real pride in it.
I am very glad of that, if it gives me the chance of having your company alone, returned Brice, smiling, and very grateful to your uncle, whatever were his reasons for making you my guide. But you have already been that to me, and he told her of the footprints. But for you, he added, with gentle significance, I should not have been here.
She was silent for a moment, and he could only see the back of her head and its heavy brown coils. After a pause she asked abruptly, Wheres your handkerchief?
He took it from his pocket; her ingenious uncles bullet had torn rather than pierced the cambric.
I thought so, she said, gravely examining it, but I kin mend it as good as new. I reckon you allow I cant sew, she continued, but I do heaps of mendin, as the digger squaw and Chinamen we have here do only the coarser work. Ill send it back to you, and meanwhiles you keep mine.
She drew a handkerchief from her pocket and handed it to him. To his great surprise it was a delicate one, beautifully embroidered, and utterly incongruous to her station. The idea that flashed upon him, it is to be feared, showed itself momentarily in his hesitation and embarrassment.
She gave a quick laugh. Dont be frightened. Its bought and paid for. Uncle Harry dont touch passengers fixins; that aint his style. You oughter know that. Yet in spite of her laugh, he could see the sensitive pout of her lower lip.
I was only thinking, he said hurriedly and sympathetically, that it was too fine for me. But I will be proud to keep it as a souvenir of you. Its not too pretty for THAT!
Uncle gets me these things. He dont keer what they cost, she went on, ignoring the compliment. Why, Ive got awfully fine gowns up there that I only wear when I go to Marysville oncet in a while.
Does he take you there? asked Brice.
No! she answered quietly. Nota little defiantlythat hes afeard, for they cant prove anything against him; no man kin swear to him, and thar aint an officer that keers to go for him. But hes that shy for ME he dont keer to have me mixed with him.