Blake swung up the steps, hat in hand. “It can’t be half as pleasant as the surprise you’ve already given us,” he said.
“I fear not,” she replied, with a quick change to gravity. She looked earnestly into their faces. “Still, I hope––yes, I really believe it will please you when you consider it. But first, I want to tell you that out here it’s our notion that a man should be rated according to his present life, and not blamed for his past mistakes.”
“Certainly not!” agreed Mrs. Blake, with a swift glance at her husband. “If a man has mounted to a higher level, he should be upheld, not dragged down again.”
“That’s good old-style Western fair play,” added Blake.
“I’m so glad you take it that way!” said Isobel. “A young man utterly ruined in fortune––partly at least through his own fault––came to us and asked to be hired. He has been a hard worker and a gentleman. His name is Lafayette Ashton.”
“Ashton?” said Blake, his face as impassive as a granite mask.
“Yes. He has told me all about the bridge. He wished to go away, because he thought you and Mrs. Blake would not like to meet him. I told him you 142 would be willing to let bygones be bygones, and help him start off with a new tally card.”
“Lafayette Ashton working––as a cowboy!” murmured Mrs. Blake.
“He is still a good deal of a tenderfoot. But he is learning fast; and work!––the way he pesters Daddy to find him something to do!”
“He certainly must be a changed man,” dryly commented Blake.