The doctor was unsaddling Mabel, the lady horse, and he had warm words for his Ranger; Mateo Golinda had told him things which would make an eastern name long remembered in that wild county of the west. He had warm and hearty words for the two of them, his tired eyes kindling. He remembered Rosalía Valdés McVeagh and her tearful old song, but he believed that “the coming of wintry weather” would find them ready and strong. He went away from them smiling to himself, and not looking back.
They were alone, then, save for the grave and tolerant horses, and Ginger went swiftly into his arms. “I don’t want to say good-by even for three hours,” she said, rebelliously. “But you’ll be coming back; always you’ll be coming back, and always it will be as it was on Aleck’s bridge.”
Snort came nearer and nosed jealously at Dean Wolcott’s shoulder, and he spared a hand for him. Then he looked down and kissed the red scratch on Ginger’s cheek where it rested against his dull sleeve. It was dust-colored, dust-covered. Suddenly he threw back his head and laughed aloud, gladly, triumphantly. Accolade of victory; sign and symbol of battles and beatitudes. “Corduroy,” he said, touching the fabric of his coat and of hers, “corde du roi!”
“Of course,” Ginger said, wondering a little, but too deeply content to wonder very much, “corduroy.”
THE END
BOOKS BY EVERETT T. TOMLINSON
Young People’s History of the American Revolution
No one knows Revolutionary history better than Dr. Tomlinson. This history is unique, for in it he emphasizes the part played by the citizens during the Revolution. Illustrated.
Places Young Americans Want to Know
In this book Dr. Tomlinson has presented thrilling descriptions of the most notable places in the history of our country.