You'd break Oliver Jordan's heart. That's what you'd
do!"
Her brain was whirling. She grasped at the first thought that came to
her.
"Then wait till he comes back before you touch Jim Perris."
"And let Perris raise the devil in the meantime?"
He laughed in her face.
"At least," she cried, her voice shrill with anger and fear, "let me
know where he is. Let me send for him myself."
"Dunno that I'm exactly sure about where he is myself," fenced Lew
Hervey.
"Ah," moaned the girl, half-breaking down under the strain. "Why do
you hate me so? What have I done to you?"
"Nothing," said Hervey grimly. "Made me the laughing stock of the
mountains--that's all. Made me a joke--that's all you've done to me.
'Lew Hervey and his boss--the girl.' That's what they been saying
about me. But I ain't been taking that to heart. What I'm doing now is
for your own good, only you don't know it! You'll see it later on."
"Mr. Hervey," she pleaded, "if it will change you, I'll give you my
oath to stop bothering with the management of the ranch. You can run
it your own way. I'll leave if you say the word, but----"
"I know," said Hervey. "I know what you'd say. But Lord above, Miss
Jordan, I ain't doing this for my own sake.
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