"Jack's been acting mighty queer of late," she ventured. "Like he's got something on his mind."
Jim smiled at her simplicity and jokingly replied: "Well, he's married."
The retort exasperated Polly. She was not meeting with the success she desired. "Do hush!" she cried, in her annoyance.
"That's enough on any man's mind," Jim laughed as he sauntered out of the door.
"Something queer about Jack," observed Polly, seating herself at the table. "He ain't been the same man since the weddin'. He's all right when Echo's around, but when he thinks no one is watchin' him he sits around and sighs."
Jack entered the room at this moment. Absent-mindedly he hung his hat and spurs on a rack and leaned his rifle against the wall, sighing deeply as he did so. So engrossed was he in his thoughts that he did not notice Polly until he reached the table. He started in surprise when he saw her. "Hello, Polly!" was his greeting. "Where is Echo?"
Polly rose hastily at the sound of his voice.
"Didn't you meet her?" she asked. "We got her to ride over toward Tucson this morning to get her out of the way so's to snake the pianny in without her seein' it." Polly glided over to the instrument and touched the keys softly.
With admiration Jack gazed at the instrument.
"I came around by Florence," answered Jack, with a smile.