“No; she preferred Kentucky,” Lin said.
“Bring the old one?”
“No; she preferred Laramie.”
“Kentucky's a right smart way to chase after a girl,” said the Virginian.
“Sure!” said Mr. McLean. “I quit at Edgeford.”
He met their few remarks so smoothly that they got no joy from him; and being asked had he seen the new agent, he answered yes, that Tubercle had gone Wednesday, and his successor did not seem to be much of a man.
But to me Lin had nothing to say until noon camp was scattering from its lunch to work, when he passed close, and whispered, “You'll see her to-morrow if you go in with the outfit.” Then, looking round to make sure we were alone in the sage-brush, he drew from his pocket, cherishingly, a little shining pistol. “Hers,” said he, simply.
I looked at him.
“We've exchanged,” he said.
He turned the token in his hand, caressing it as on that first night when Jessamine had taken his heart captive.