“It’s true all right, as you’ll find out pretty quick,” he replied. “If you had any eyes you’d see that cattle raisin’ on this heah ranch is about to halt till somethin’ is decided. Why, even Springer himself is sweet on you.”
“How dare you!” flashed Jane, suddenly aghast.
“I ain’t afraid to tell the truth,” declared Tex, stoutly. “He is. The boys all say so. He’s grouchier than ever. He’s jealous. He watches you—”
“Suppose I told him you had dared to say such things?” interrupted Jane, trembling on the verge of strange emotion.
“Why, he’d be tickled to death. He hasn’t got nerve enough to tell you himself.”
This cowboy, like all his comrades, was hopeless. She was about to attempt to change the conversation when Tex took her into his arms. She struggled—and fought with all her might. But he succeeded in kissing her cheek and then the tip of her ear. Finally she broke away from him. “Now—” she panted. “You’ve done it—you’ve insulted me. Now I’ll never ride with you again—even speak to you.”
“Shore I didn’t insult you,” replied Tex. “Jane—won’t you marry me?”
“No.”
“Won’t you be my sweetheart—till you care enough to—to—”
“No.”