"Why don't you tell the truth? Why don't you; say you love him,
and be done with it? Say it and I'll take him back to Tucson with
you safe as if he were a baby."
She covered her face with her hands, but with two steps he had
reached her and captured he hands.
"The truth," he demanded, and his eyes compelled.
"It is to save his life?"
He laughed harshly. "Here's melodrama for you! Yes--to save your
lover's life."
She lifted her eyes to his bravely. "What you say is true. I love
him."
Leroy bowed ironically. "I congratulate Mr. Collins, who is now
quite safe, so far as I am concerned. Meanwhile, lest he be
jealous of your absense, shall we return now?"
Some word of sympathy for the reckless scamp trembled on her
lips, but her instinct told her would hold it insult added to
injury, and she left her pity unvoiced.
"If you please."
But as he heeled away she laid a timid hand on his arm. He turned
and looked grimly down at the working face, at the sweet, soft,
pitiful eyes brimming with tears. She was pure woman now, all the
caste pride dissolved in yearning pity.
"Oh, you lamb--you precious lamb," he groaned, and clicked his
teeth shut on the poignant pain of his loss.
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