“No, you wouldn’t, Bud Nixon,” Alta checked him; “you’re too big a coward. Now don’t you dare insult me again or you’ll rue it.”
This flash of righteous temper took his breath away. He stared stupidly at her, then turned sharply and strode out of the room with jangling spurs. That ended it so far as the love-making was concerned; but it was the beginning of a stupid hate in his heart. He simply caroused about and took delight in becoming chief of the ruffian element in the valley, venting his spite against Alta by tormenting her in rude ways, and making any fellow who dared to pay her attention a target for his enmity and abuse.
Alta’s uncle knew nothing about the matter. She spared his feelings by keeping this trouble to herself—a rather hard thing for Alta to decide, because all of her life she had confided freely in her “dear daddy,” as she affectionately called him. But this she knew would anger and worry him and she feared the consequences.
The Colonel, however, did notice that something was wrong with Bud. He began of a sudden to grow reckless and unreliable. This change of disposition in his best hand puzzled and annoyed the ranch owner very much. For Bud had always been a faithful worker, full of energy. As a judge of stock he had few equals, while he could handle horses and cattle with unusual skill. A good deal of the Colonel’s success in ranching was due to Nixon’s help.
Nixon knew this well enough, and he was a little presumptuous around the place because of it, bossing the other boys, and taking liberties in various ways that no other hand would dare to take. The Colonel did not like this, but out of regard for Bud’s good services, he overlooked the fault.
Colonel Morgan, however, was no easy-going manager. Quite the contrary. His military training had made him a strict disciplinarian, and when Bud carried things too far, neglecting his duties to sport about the valley, he received a rather sharp suggestion from his master to mend his ways.
“I’ll take keer of myself all right, Colonel, you needn’t bother about me,” returned Bud, with a touch of insolence in his tone.
“Well, see that you do; and for your own good you had better cut out your rough stuff,” returned the Colonel.
“Well, I’ve allus done my full stint around this ranch, ain’t I? and I’m jist as good as any one on it.”
“Yes, you’ve been a good worker and I appreciate what you have done; now just keep on doing your duty and we’ll have no trouble,” returned the Colonel in kindly tone, ignoring the offensive suggestions in Bud’s talk. He desired no break between them.