His confusion, which she attributed to bashfulness, encouraged the shameless coquette to add: "Maybe you liked me better as Bud?" Jeff was scarlet as he replied: "I liked Bud first-rate, but Bud'll remember what I said about his sister." Then he quite spoiled the effect of this happy phrase by adding hurriedly: "Say, I'd just as lief you didn't tell your father that I am a deputy-sheriff."
Sadie raised her dark brows.
"I thought you were so proud of that."
"I tooted my own horn, like a tenderfoot."
"But I liked what you said, Mr. Wells. That's the part I shan't forget. About doing your duty, you know. Dad would like that too. He's done his duty, has Dad--always."
"I'll allow he's done his duty by you."
She laughed gaily; then, seeing with a woman's quick eyes that the man was in pain, she said for the second time, "I know you're feeling worse, Mr. Wells."
A wiser than Jeff would have assented to this. Jeff rose hastily and walked a few paces.
"I'm most well," he declared irritably.
"Then what ails you?"