An' in
the end she got so highfalutin that SHE wouldn't marry YOU." He
laughed again and Hale winced under the laugh and the lashing
words. "An' I know you air eatin' yo' heart out, too, because you
can't git June, an' I'm hopin' you'll suffer the torment o' hell
as long as you live. God, she hates ye now! To think o' your
knowin' the world and women and books"--he spoke with vindictive
and insulting slowness--"You bein' such a--fool!"
"That may all be true, but I think you can talk better outside
that gate." The mountaineer, deceived by Hale's calm voice, sprang
to his feet in a fury, but he was too late. Hale's hand was on the
butt of his revolver, his blue eyes were glittering and a
dangerous smile was at his lips. Silently he sat and silently he
pointed his other hand at the gate. Dave laughed:
"D'ye think I'd fight you hyeh? If you killed me, you'd be elected
County Jedge; if I killed you, what chance would I have o' gittin'
away? I'd swing fer it." He was outside the gate now and
unhitching his horse. He started to turn the beasts but Hale
stopped him.
"Get on from this side, please."
With one foot in the stirrup, Dave turned savagely: "Why don't you
go up in the Gap with me now an' fight it out like a man?"
"I don't trust you.
Pages:
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403