She rode on again, still thinking of Gard.
“We’ve got to help him out o’ this.” A dull flush crept up to her hair and her black eyes suddenly filled with unfamiliar tears.
“Go to Dave Marden fer him—” she cried, “Lord! I’d go to the Old Nick himself to help him, an’ that’s the truth!”
CHAPTER X
“Upon my word, Kate! Upon my word: this is the biggest surprise I’ve had since I came down with the mumps last New Year’s!”
The Governor of Arizona sprang up from his big desk chair and crossed the room as Mrs. Hallard came into his private office. His manner was cordial, the more so, perhaps, that it was tinged with a nervousness of which he was uneasily aware. If Mrs. Hallard was aware of this nervousness, she made no sign. Her own manner was strangely quiet.
“It’s the biggest kind of a surprise,” the Governor said, again. “I could hardly believe it when they brought in your name.”
He established his visitor in a big arm-chair, and seated himself opposite her, his face a little in the shadow.
“Why,” said he, “I haven’t seen you, Kate, since—” He paused, abruptly.
“It’s a long time since you seen me, Dave; that ’s straight,” Mrs. Hallard said, “But I’m mighty glad you ain’t fergot me.”