Following the Grass by Harry Sinclair Drago Read Free Book Online Page A

to do some thin’. And that mustn’t be. I don’t want him to grow up with his heart full of hate and meanness. As long as I’m alive, this is my fight; I got to settle hit myself. If anythin’ happens, so I don’t get back, I know you’ll raise him to be a man. Teach him to— what?”
    The sudden fear which had flashed in Margarida’s eyes had forced the question from him.
    â€œIsn’t that our dogs?” she insisted.
    Gault listened.
    â€œReckon hit is,” he muttered. “Some one’s a-comin’!”
    â€œKiss me then—quick! Put your arms about me for a second, my man. Come back to me, Joseph! I couldn’t live without you. No matter when you come, I’ll be here! And now, go I Go! They’ll be here any minute !”
    Gault did not mount his horse until Margarida bolted the door. He heard something thud against it, and he wondered if she had fainted. He even ventured to call to her. When he heard her answer, he swung himself into his saddle and struck off across the mountain to the north of the coulee. The tears which had been denied him, blurred his eyes now. It did not matter; there was no one to see.
    Margarida had half fallen against the cabin door as she bolted it. Valiantly, she endeavored to arrange her disordered thoughts. What was she to do when these men came? Had she been asleep?—or would it not be better to pretend that she was anxiously waiting for her husband to return from town?
    As she pondered the matter, she heard horses outside the cabin. The next moment, the butt of a gun beat an angry tattoo on the door.
    â€œHello-o-o !” a voice cried.
    â€œI hear you!” Margarida answered. “What is it? What do you want?”
    â€œOpen the door!”
    â€œI’ll not open the door until I know who you are !” she called back.
    â€œI’m Eagan—Race Eagan, of the Circle-Z-I want to talk to your husband.”
    â€œMy husband is not here !” she replied stoutly. “He went to town to-day. I’ve been expecting him home for hours.”
    Eagan conferred with the other men. Then:
    â€œGuess he’ll be along directly. We got to see him. You open up and let us in. Kit Dorr’s been killed. We’re here to get the man that got him. What you goin’ to do?”
    â€œWait until I light a lamp,” Margarida exclaimed. “I’ll let you in. There isn’t anybody here who had anything to do with killing Kit Dorr.”
    Two other Circle-Z men were with Eagan. The three of them searched the cabin hurriedly.
    â€œHe ain’t here,” Race grumbled. “He’s been here and gone, or he’ll come soon. We’ll wait a spell!”
    â€œYou think my husband killed Dorr, eh?” Margarida asked, her eyes snapping.
    â€œWhat we think don’t matter! We want Gault! You said he hadn’t been here, didn’t yuh ?”
    Margarida nodded: “You understood me correctly.”
    Eagan pulled a chair up to the table and sat down.
    â€œMight as well sit down, boys,” he said brusquely, his eyes following Margarida as she walked back and forth. He found her singularly beautiful. He began to wonder about her and what was to become of her. Margarida caught his eyes and seemed to guess his thought. Eagan picked up a newspaper and read it aimlessly, still wondering about her. He stiffened suddenly.
    â€œSay! I thought you was mistaken, ma’am,” he exclaimed insolently. Turning to the others, he said:
    â€œGault was here I She’s just been playin’ for time.’
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Margarida demanded.
    Eagan’s lip curled as he tossed the newspaper on the table :
    â€œI mean that there’s to-day’s Silver State . It couldn’t have got to Paradise before four o’clock. How did it get here if he didn’t fetch it? Ain’t no airships bringin’ mail up here, is there? And don’t you