The Story of a Surprise, a Success, and Something Else Very Much Better
As Curly stumped away, his spurs clinking on the gallery floor, he encountered Mr. Ellsworth, who held out his hand in recognition.
"I just heard some one was down from the town," he began. "How are you, and what's the news?"
"Mighty bad," said Curly, "mighty bad." Then to himself: "O Lord! I'm in for it again, and worse. I'd a heap rather lie to a woman than a man—it seems more natural."
"Bring any word down with you from up there?" asked Ellsworth. Curly nodded. "I brung a letter," said he.
"That so? What's it about?"
"Well, sir, it bein' a letter to a lady—"
"You mean my daughter? Now, what—"
"Yes, it's for her," admitted Curly; "but it's personal."
"Well, I didn't know but it might be news from that young man, Anderson. You know he went with the posse. Do you happen to know?"