“I didn’t say anything—” he began.
“Push me that Queen,” interrupted the Girl, sharply, gathering up the cards at the faro table, and pointing to one that was just beyond her reach. But when Rance handed it to her and was moving silently away, she added: “Ah, no offence, Jack, but I got other idees o’ married life from what you have.”
“Aw, nonsense!” came from the Sheriff in a voice that was not free from irritation.
The Girl glanced up at him quickly. Her mind was not the abode of hardened convictions, but was tender to sentiment, and something in his manner at once softening her, she said:
“Nonsense? I dunno ’bout that. You see—” and her eyes took on a far away look—“I had a home once an’ I ain’t forgot it—a home up over our little saloon down in Soledad. I ain’t forgot my father an’ my mother an’ what a happy kepple they were. Lord, how they loved each other—it was beautiful!”
Despite his seemingly callous exterior, there was a soft spot in the gambler’s heart. Every word that the Girl uttered had its effect on him. Now his hands, which had been clenched, opened out and a new light came into his eyes. Suddenly, however, it was replaced by one of anger, for the door, at that moment, was hesitatingly pushed open, and The Sidney Duck stood with his hand on the knob, snivelling:
“Oh, Miss, I—”
The Girl fairly flew over to him.
“Say, I’ve heard about you! You git!” she cried; and when she was certain that he was gone she came back and took a seat at the table where she continued, in the same reminiscent vein as before: “I can see mother now fussin’ over father an’ pettin’ ’im, an’ father dealin’ faro—Ah, he was square! An’ me a kid, as little as a kitten, under the table sneakin’ chips for candy. Talk ’bout married life—that was a little heaven! Why, mother tho’t so much o’ that man, she was so much heart an’ soul with ’im that she learned to be the best case-keeper you ever saw. Many a sleeper she caught! You see, when she played, she was playin’ for the ol’ man.” She stopped as if overcome with emotion, and then added with great feeling: “I guess everybody’s got some remembrance o’ their mother tucked away. I always see mine at the faro table with her foot snuggled up to Dad’s, an’ the light o’ lovin’ in her eyes. Ah, she was a lady...!” Impulsively she rose and walked over to the bar. “No,” she went on, when behind it once more, “I couldn’t share that table an’ The Polka with any man—unless there was a heap o’ carin’ back of it. No, I couldn’t, Jack, I couldn’t....”
By this time the Sheriff’s anger had completely vanished; dejection was plainly written on every line of his face.