Luigi made no reply. They were nearing the house. She turned to him when they reached the steps.
"Luigi,"—she put out her hand and he took it in both his,—"forget what I've said about another and forgive me for what I've had to say to yourself—we've always been such good friends, that now—"
She was ready with the smile that captivated him, but it was a tremulous one for she smiled through tears; she was thinking of the contrast.
"And always will be, Aileen, when we both know for good and all that we can be nothing more to each other," he answered gently.
She was grateful to him; but she turned away and went up the steps without saying good-bye.
X
"'Gad, I wish I was well out of it!"
For the first time within the memory of Elmer Wiggins and Lawyer Emlie, who heard the Colonel's ejaculation, his words and tone proclaimed the fact that he was not in his seemingly unfailing good spirits. He was standing with the two at the door of the drug shop and watching the crowds of men gathered in groups along the main street.
It was Saturday afternoon and the men were idle, a weekly occurrence the Colonel had learned to dread since his incumbency as deputy sheriff and, in consequence of his office, felt responsible for the peace of the community at large until Monday morning.