“Are you going to clear yourself with the police regarding Mayor Brenchfield, Phil?” asked Eileen.
“That is just what Jim asked, girlie. I may, some 319 day. And I may never require to. Meantime, Brenchfield is stewing in his own juices. I prefer, for a while at any rate, to let him work away––as you said not so very long ago––and leave the result or issue to his Creator. What is it the Great Book says?––‘Vengeance is mine. I will repay.’”
Eileen sighed and turned her head away to hide a tell-tale tear.
“Well––I shall not see you again for a long time, little girlie. Good-bye, and––and, God bless you!”
And there among the shade trees of the avenue Eileen threw the reins aside and sprang down beside Phil. His arms went about her agile little body, as her fingers clung to him. He kissed her lips, her eyes and her hair. Then he caught her face in his hands again, as he had done out at the ranch, looked deeply into the heart of her eyes, and her eyes answered him bravely.
He kissed her solemnly on the lips once more and let her go.
When she looked back at the turn of the avenue, he was still standing there where she had left him.