She took a step away from him and regarded him seriously for a moment.
"There'll be some things to settle first," he went on. "But when they're settled—I'm coming."
For a while Cherry allowed her mind to return to the doubts that had lurked there for many days. She wanted to ask King the question that had been in her mind ever since the evening she had ridden into town in the dusk. Then she heard King's voice again—slow, resolute, and touched with deep emotion.
"Just now," he said, "I'd like to kiss you—but I'll wait—I'll wait till I deserve it more. Cherry McBain, I'm going to fight for you."
He drew her towards him and looked long into her eyes. Then he turned her about and started towards the cabin. Together they walked in silence until they were within a few feet of the door, and then Cherry paused and turned to King.
"King Howden," she said, looking up at him, "you're—you're stupid!"
Before King could make reply she threw her arms suddenly around his neck and kissed him once impulsively, passionately, and then fled into the cabin.
After a while King Howden, wondering a great deal about his own stupidity, passed into the cabin and went to bed.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
October set in as no other October had done within the memory of Keith McBain.