Gazing absently through the doorway and comforting himself by thinking that perhaps he, too, had latent courage which would rise to heights of heroism in propitious circumstances, he did not see Miss Eyester, who had come in the side entrance, until she stood before him.
He had not expected Miss Eyester, because she was usually employed during the winter, and it was only when a well-to-do relative sent her a check that she could afford a few weeks in Florida. But Miss Eyester was one of his favourites, and he immediately expressed the hope that she was to stay the entire season, while he noticed that she was wearing a mounted bear-claw for a hat-pin.
"No," she replied, blushing.
Not until then had Mr. Cone observed the Montana diamond flashing on her finger.
"Ah-h?" He raised his eyebrows inquiringly.
Miss Eyester nodded.
"In January."
"A Western millionaire, I venture?" he suggested playfully.
"A stockman."
"Indeed?" A new respect was in Mr. Cone's manner. "Cattle?"