Then I'm hittin' the breeze
to Durango. If you ever want me, send for me there, an' I'll come back
to you, sheriff or no sheriff."
She put out a hand to detain him, but he seized it and pressed it to
her side, the other with it. Then his arms went around her shoulders,
she was crushed against him, and his lips met hers.
Then she was suddenly released, and he was at the door.
"Good-by," he said as he stood in the opening, the glare of light from
the lamp showing his face, pale, the eyes illumined with a fire that
she had never seen in them; "I'm sorry it has to end this way--I was
hopin' for somethin' different. You've made me almost a man."
Then the door closed and he was gone. She stood by the table for a few
minutes, holding tightly to it for support, her eyes wide from
excitement.
"Oh," she said, "if I could only have kept him here a few minutes
longer!"
She walked to the door and stood in the opening, shading her eyes with
her hands. He had not been gone long, but already he was riding the
river trail; she saw him outlined in the moonlight, leaning a little
forward in the saddle, the black running with a long, swift, sure
stride. She watched them until a bend in the trail shut them from
view, and then with a sob she bowed her head in her arms.
CHAPTER XXII
NEAL TAGGART VISITS
When a little later Betty heard hoof-beats in the ranchhouse yard--the
sounds of a horseman making a leisurely approach--she left the door and
went out upon the porch.
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