face his exuberant confidence melted and left him timid. This he was wont to rout by big words and a dashing air he did not feel.
"Oh! Come right in," she invited. "But you are late," she laughed, chidingly.
He critically regarded the dimples, while he replied that he had drawn rein to slay the sheriff but, knowing that it would cost him more valuable time, he had consented with himself to postpone the event.
"But you must not do that!" she cried. "Why, that 's terrible! You shouldn't even think of such things."
"Well, of course—if yo 're agin' it I wont."
"But what did he do?"
"Oh, I don't reckon I can tell that. But do you really want him to live?"
"Why, certainly! What a foolish question."
"But why do you? Do you—like him?"
"I like everybody."
"Yes; an' everybody likes you, too," he growled, the smile fading. "That 's th' trouble. Do you like him very much?"
