صفحة 19 من 439

She took out a note-book and pencil. "If you will give me your

name and address please."

He smiled hardily at her. "I've clean forgotten them."

There was a warning flash in her disdainful eye.

"Just as you like. My name is Margaret Kinney. I will leave the

money for you at the First National Bank."

She gathered up the rains deftly.

"One moment." He laid a hand on the lines. "I reckon you think I

owe you an apology for what happened when we first met."

A flood of spreading color dyed her cheeks. "I don't think

anything about it."

"Oh, yes, you do," he contradicted. "And you're going to think a

heap more about it. You're going to lay awake nights going over

it."

Out of eyes like live coals she gave him one look. "Will you take

your hands from these reins please?"

"Presently. Just now I'm talking and you're listening."

"I don't care to hear any apologies, sir," she said stiffly.

"I'm not offering any," he laughed, yet stung by her words.

"You're merely insulting me again, I presume?"