“A draw! You squeaky fool!”
We hears his boots just hitting the ground at intervals of three seconds, as he labors back up-town.
Magpie wipes some of the blood and ink off his forehead, and glares at me.
“You’re too danged touchy!” he wails.
“We sure do look like making social calls, now don’t we?”
“I wouldn’t face her for a million,” says he.
“Neither would I,” says I.
I cleans my face the best I can, and walks over to the door. I takes off my star and tosses it on the table.
“Magpie,” says I, “I’m all through. No more will I chase the festive outlaw. From now on I’m going to be a common citizen, and entitled to come down here and raise thunder with you for not tending to your duty. I’m wise to you, old-timer. Being a ordinary citizen and entitled to protection I hereby audibly objects to you frittering the county’s time away making love. Remember, Magpie, I knows your secret. Sabe?”
I goes over to the barn and saddles up. I ain’t in no shape to fawn over a lady, but the call of love is strong upon me and I unconsciously rides in her direction. I forgets time and distance, and all of a sudden I’m at her door and she’s smiling at me.