Lila went to her room to think it over. Angel a thief! Dealt a crooked game to beat his own father! And old Rance McCoy had given him the money to buy out that gambling-house. She went downstairs and talked to Mrs. Parker, trying to find out what she knew about it.
“Yes, I heard about it,” admitted Mrs. Parker. “I didn’t want to say anything about it, Lila. Angel has made a lot of enemies over it, and has practically ruined his business.”
“But he surely wouldn’t steal from his father, Mrs. Parker.”
“Honey, a gambler don’t recognize relationship. Angel always was a queer sort of a boy—rather cold-blooded. I don’t care if he is your brother——”
“But he isn’t,” said Lila softly. “Oh, I don’t think there is any use of keeping it a secret. That was why I left the Circle Spade ranch. Haven’t you wondered?”
“A little—yes. Others have wondered, too. But I supposed it was merely because you wanted to earn your own living.”
“Rance McCoy is not my father, Mrs. Parker. He—he shot my father when I was a baby. I don’t know why, but he adopted me and gave me his name. Angel and I are no relation. My father was named Stevens.”
“Well, heavens above! Can you imagine that? Honey, that’s like something you read about. A-a-a-w, don’t cry about it! You can’t help it, can you? Pshaw! Did Rance McCoy tell you?”
Lila shook her head quickly, her lips trembling.
“A-Angel told me. Rance McCoy didn’t deny it.”