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Fact is you never welcomed me like that, even on myreturns from Europe. But
man, I cant believe that wonderful girl is going to hell. This business is
getting damn serious, ejaculated Janey. A dry, dusty,musty odor, not
unpleasant, permeated the place. I daresay youll not stay long enough tosee
one. Bennet has seen to itthat youve had only gentle horses. And being alone
made it tenfold more thrilling.
It was a return to goodhumor and the
hopelessness of ever doing anything with her.
Cant you credit me with changeor
growth or something worth while? And yourrefusal makes me sure you are the
right man.
Janey was blandly innocent, and apparently unconscious of
Randolphsslight start and quick look.
Youre very unkind, at least, rejoined
Randolph, vexed and hurt. Endicott, dividedbetween doubt and exultation. Youve
scarcely looked at me, since your arrival.
There are cliff dwellinsstill in
good state of preservation, an many ruins.
Frankly, Miss Endicott, I think you
ought tohave a good stiff lecture. It struck Janey then that Phil did not
appear overjoyed to see her.
I guess Im not so strong as Dad thinks I am. It
was in therace, and the races progress toward higher things depended upon
it.
Ivelearned to fight my natural instincts. Certainly I am, agreed Endicott,
growing warmer. This business is getting damn serious, ejaculated Janey. He
glared at her in mingled wrath and distress. In the west the bulge of desert
waved black as ebony against the intensegold flare of sky.
Only the other day
she had fancied she wore a tiredbored look.
I cant let you attempt getting down
here alone, hesaid.
Mounting she rode away without looking back, which was an
act thatrequired will power. For the first time in years Janey missed her
mother. Randolph, Id fall and break my neck before Id let you help me,returned
Janey, loftily.
She had adorned herselfwith a gown calculated to make him gasp.
I suppose yesterday will stump you for some time, she replied. Im sorry you
were indisposed, said Randolph, solicitously.
There was somethingwarm and sweet
in the thought of his really caring for her like that.
Through aragged rent the
sinking sun sent shafts of radiant light down behind thehorizon. Janey had not
ridden a hundred paces farther before she forgot all aboutRay.
It seems
presumptuous, absurd, he answered, stubbornly.
Far up Janey discerned the
remainsof walls.
A dry, dusty,musty odor, not unpleasant, permeated the
place.
G-g-g-go along w-w-w-with you or youll g-get h-h-h-hurt,
stutteredTay-Tay.
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