MULLENDORE WINS
" Where you trapped. Remember the bear hides you brought in that spring Katie left? "
" The pack's slippin' agin — them saddles is far and away too narrer — and them green hides weigh like lead — " He ran his words together like a person talk- ing in his sleep.
" You load too heavy — you load to break a horse's back — Katie Prentice always told you that."
A troubled frown grew between his eyes as though he was groping, vainly groping for some elusive thought.
" Katie told me — Katie Prentice — " His voice trailed off and ended in a breath.
She made a gesture of despair, but repeated persist- ently :
" She told you that you ought to be ashamed to pack a horse like that. Three hundred pounds, Pete Mullendore! You haven't any feeling for a horse."
" Killed Old Blue and left him on the trail. My, but you're gittin' growed up fast. Ain't you got a kiss for Pete?"
She leaned closer.
" Would you do something for me if I kissed you — if Katie Prentice kissed you, Pete MuUendore?"
She repeated her words, speaking in a whisper, with careful distinctness.
" Will you tell Katie something that she wants to know, if she kisses you, Pete MuUendore ? "
" Goin' to take you back to the mountings next trip — learn you to tan hides good — with ashes and deer brains — all — same — squaw — make good squaw out o' you — Katie — break your spirit first — you brat — lick yoq till I break your heart."
Katie's hands clenched.
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