“Wait a moment,” he pleaded. “On second thought, I don’t believe it’s a good thing for me to go home with you. It will only make further trouble for—for us both.”
She was almost as direct as Belden had been. “I know what you mean. I saw Cliff follow you. He jumped you, didn’t he?”
“He overtook me—yes.”
“What did he say?”
He hesitated. “He was pretty hot, and said things he’ll be sorry for when he cools off.”
“He told you not to come here any more—advised you to hit the out-going trail—didn’t he?”
He flushed with returning shame of it all, but quietly answered: “Yes, he said something about riding east.”
“Are you going to do it?”
“Not to-day; but I guess I’d better keep away from here.”
She looked at him steadily. “Why?”