under the winding walk beneath them. The lights shone upon two bright tears in the model’s eyes.
“I don’t like that,” said Platt. “What’s the matter?”
“Don’t you mind,” said Miss Asher. ‘“Well, it’s because—well, I didn’t think you were that kind when I first saw you. But you are all alike. And now will you take me home, or will I have to call a cop?”
Platt took her to the door of her boarding-house.
They, stood for a minute in the vestibule. She looked at him with such scorn in her eyes that even his heart of oak began to waver. His arm was half way around her waist, when she struck him a stinging blow on the face with her open hand.
As he stepped back a ring fell from somewhere and bounded on the tiled floor. Platt groped for it and found it.
“Now, take your useless diamond and go, Mr. Buyer,” she said.
“This was the other one—the wedding ring,” said the Texan, holding the smooth gold band on the palm of his hand.
Miss Asher’s eyes blazed upon him in the half darkness.
“Was that what you meant?—did you”—Somebody opened the door from inside the house.
“Good-night,” said Platt. “I’ll see you at the store to-morrow.”
[79]
