“Well, I’m doing some good in the world, after all.”
“Trev,” Hester moved toward him again, “don’t talk like that—it makes me shiver. I’ve been through the fire, boy—we’ve both been through it. I wasted myself on Harvey—you’ll do the same with Rosalind Benham. Ten years, boy—think of it! I’ve loved you for that long. Doesn’t that make you understand—”
“There’s nothing quite so dead as a love that a man doesn’t want to revive,” he said shortly; “do you understand that?”
She shuddered and paled, and a long silence came between them. The cold dawn that was creeping over the land stole into the office with them and found the fires of affection turned to the ashes of unwelcome memory. The woman seemed to realize at last, for she gave a little shiver and looked up at Trevison with a wan smile.
“I—I think I understand, Trev. Oh, I am so sorry! But I am not going away. I am going to stay in Manti, to be near you—if you want me. And you will want me, some day.” She went close to him. “Won’t you kiss me—once, Trev? For the sake of old times?”
“You’d better go,” he said gruffly, turning his head. And then, as she opened the door and stood upon the threshold, he stepped after her, saying: “I’ll get your horse.”
“There’s two of them,” she laughed tremulously. “I came in a buckboard.”
“Two, then,” he said soberly as he followed her out. “And say—” He turned, flushing. “You came at dusk, last night. I’m afraid I haven’t been exactly thoughtful. Wait—I’ll rustle up something to eat.”
“I—I couldn’t touch it, thank you. Trev—” She started toward him impulsively, but he turned his back grimly and went toward the corral.
Sunrise found Hester back at the Bar B. Jealous, hurt eyes had watched from an upstairs window the approach of the buckboard—had watched the Diamond K trail the greater part of the night. For, knowing of the absence of women at the Diamond K, Rosalind had anticipated Hester’s return the previous evening—for the distance that separated the two ranches was not more than two miles. But the girl’s vigil had been unrewarded until now. And when at last she saw the buckboard coming, scorn and rage, furious and deep, seized her. Ah, it was bold, brazen, disgraceful!