It seemed to rake across all the rampant, violent passions of his nature.
He was transformed instantly from a penitent subject to a dangerous animal-thing that knew naught but the power of its own brute strength. A scowl of jealous rage distorted his features. He stepped near to her.
"I want yo' t' marry me, Belle-Ann," he panted. "Air yo' a goin' t' run away an' marry me? Jest say yes or no."
The desperate, unbridled fury in his eyes sent a chill to her heart. Notwithstanding this, she preserved her outward calm and smiled back serenely upon his menacing grimace.
"Well—yo' better saddle up. See, yore hoss is at th' trough. I'll wait at th' block."
For a moment he stood nonplused. His shifting eyes lighted with the back tide of hope that had all but ebbed away.
"Yo're a meanun' t' go?" he cried out in a voice husky with new exultation.
"I said fo' you'-all t' saddle an' I'll meet yo' at th' block," she repeated.
He started away, then jerked about and looked searchingly into her face, the light of a sudden suspicion a-glitter in his eyes.
"Yo're aimin' t' run in an' shet th' door on me, hain't yo'?"