Lightning left her with a readiness that seemed unusual. But again it was a retreat. He feared for his purpose. And his fear remained with him until he was safely in the saddle and beyond the possibility of recall.
The moment Lightning had withdrawn Molly started up and began to pace the narrow limits of the room with nervous, uneven strides. Once she paused before her little mirror. But it was only for a moment. She turned away sharply, as though her reflection were repugnant to her, and continued her agitated pacing.
At last, however, she halted before the plate of food which Lightning had provided for her consumption, and the needs of the moment seemed to force themselves upon her. She picked up the plate and her tea-mug, and passed out into the living-room.
She set to work with a will. The energy she threw into clearing up the midday meal seemed wholly unnecessary. It was almost as though she dared not stop, or permit herself to think. When the work was completed she looked about her to see that nothing had been undone. Then she passed out of the house, her head enveloped in a linen sun-bonnet. Lightning was harvesting the oat crop. There should be no more weakness. She would go out to him and do the stooking it was her work to do. But first she would do those chores that needed doing.
She hurried down to the corral and loaded her arms with new hay, and returned to the barn. And as she passed in through the open doorway she was greeted by the gentle whinny of the great team that should have been out cutting oats.
Molly stood for a moment staring at the two great roan bodies. Lightning had gone to his work more than an hour ago. Then why were Jane and Blue Pete still here in the barn? Why——? She passed up into the stalls and filled the mangers. Then she left the beasts, and glanced down at the other stalls. Her pinto was there. But where was Lightning’s saddle-horse? It was gone. So was his old saddle, and his bridle.
The girl passed out of the barn and into the sunlight. She stood for a few moments gazing about her. Then, on a sudden impulse, she went back into the barn and looked again at the stalls, as though to reassure herself. Then she sat herself on the edge of the iron corn-bin, gazing at the huge bulk of the team.
She was thinking furiously. She was struggling with memory. Lightning had taken his saddle-horse and ridden off somewhere. Where? She had some sort of feeling he had been talking when she awoke to find him beside her in her bedroom. She seemed to remember he had been talking of going somewhere. What was it he had been talking about? Where was he going? He was going to fetch someone. He was——
A cry broke from her. She started up from the corn-bin.