“Well, so help me!” ejaculated Happy, unhappily, while Sonora, with head bent low, went over to his seat.
The next moment the boys of the front rows had joined those of the rear and were grouping themselves together to discuss the situation.
“Sure you ain’t makin’ a mistake?” Trinidad questioned suddenly.
The Girl came down from her seat on the platform and went over to them.
“Mistake,” she repeated dreamily. “Oh, no, no, no, boys, there’s no mistake about this. Oh, Trin!” she burst out tearfully, and two soft arms crept gently about his neck. “An’ Sonora—Ah, Sonora...!” She raised herself on her tiny toes and kissed him on the left cheek.
The next instant she was gone.
XVII
Whatever may be said to the contrary, there are few more humiliating moments in a man’s life than when he learns that some other person has supplanted him in the affections of his adored one. And it was the Girl’s knowledge of this, together with her desire to spare the feelings of her two old admirers,—for in her nature there was ever that thoughtfulness of others which never permitted her to do a mean thing to anyone,—that had caused her to flee so precipitously from the room.
But painful as was their humiliation as they stood in silence, gazing with saddened faces at the door through which the Girl had gone out, their cup of bitterness was not yet full. The next moment the Sheriff, his lips curled inscrutably, said mockingly:
“Well, boys, the right man has come at last. Take your medicine, gentlemen.”