An audible gasp broke from her. Her thin face paled and set ever so little, while into her faded eyes rose a flickering fire.
“It ain’t true. It’s—it’s sinful for any one to say such a thing. Lex, I want to tell you something about Billy Gee that you can believe, because I never lie, and that is—he’s given away every cent he ever stole. Don’t ask me how I know. Ask any man on the street, and he’ll tell you that there’ll be more broken hearts and empty cupboards now that Billy Gee is—is gone, than if the Geerusalem mines shut down to-morrow.” She paused, then added: “I know it don’t sound just right, Lex, but I wish—I wish he’d never been caught.”
Sangerly regarded her curiously for a moment. Some appealing, subtle sadness he saw in her face caused him to burst out with a merry laugh and lean over and take her in his arms.
“I wouldn’t try to disillusion you for the world, you darling,” he cried, as he kissed her. “You nor any other woman could condemn a man of Billy Gee’s type. You all feel for the wayward man. You pity him. You want to help him, for that is the blessed mission of this wonderful mother love of yours.” He digressed, with a broad smile: “Before I forget, I want to take you out for some real joy rides in a new roadster I have; which means, of course, that you must introduce me around among the first families of Geerusalem. I want to be initiated into the mysteries of bacon and beans and sour dough bread.”
She returned his smile and looked at him, admiration in her eyes. “Did you meet Dot—Lem Huntington’s daughter?” she asked presently.
“No. She’s one of the belles of the camp, I suppose?”
“Dot Huntington is one of the finest girls in the West, Lex.”
“Whew! You’re some little booster. Pretty?”
“Pretty as a picture, and sensible. That’s a combination you don’t often find, Lex, and you know it. She’s a girl any man would kneel to,” she said solemnly.
“Mother Liggs, you interest me. You must tell me more about this charming young lady. I want to meet her. You see, I’ve always believed my San Francisco girl was the prize winner, but it just may be that this fair daughter of Geerusalem is—well, I’ll tell you after I see her.” He paused, then resumed seriously: “Right now, I want to hear about your own affairs. How have you been getting along all these years? And you haven’t even mentioned Jerome. Where is he?”