Walter, who had recovered his senses, here interfered.
“You see, sir, she meant good—she tried to prevent a fight. So she tried to stop me—if she hadn’t I would have given him a thrashing.”
“Thank you; thank you, Walter,” said Katie, with a grateful glance at him.
“What was the mill about?” asked Jeffries.
“He treated Katie like a—a—”
“What!” vociferated the father. “Treated my daughter like what?”
“He threw his arms around her and kissed her.”
Jeffries’ eyebrows sunk down over his eyes, and he breathed hard. He was aroused.
“And yer got hit fightin’ for my daughter, did ye? Well young feller, yer did right, and I’ll remember yer. And him too,” he resumed. “I’ll make his hide smart.”
Without further parley he walked away down the hill toward the grocery or rather cabin, for there was no good “store” in the settlement. Katie knew what was his errand, and she also knew he was not to be turned aside from his purpose. But she tried to alleviate his wrath, and called out: