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A moment later, when they went ahead of Blackton and his wife to where the buckboard was waiting for them, he said: "You put on that veil to punish me, Ladygray?" "It is a pretty veil," said she. "But your hair is prettier," said he. "And you embarrassed me very much by staring as you did, John Aldous!" "Forgive me. It is I mean you are so beautiful."
"I have," she smiled. "Only it's Potterdam's Tar Soap, and not the other. And you have not shaved, John Aldous!" "Great Scott, so I haven't!" he exclaimed, rubbing his chin. "But I did yesterday afternoon, Ladygray!" "And you will again this afternoon, if you please," she commanded. "I don't like bristles." "But in the wilderness "
Ahead of them Donald MacDonald had turned in his saddle and was looking back. For a moment Aldous ceased speaking. "Please go on!" said Joanne. "They found gold," repeated Aldous. "They found so much of it, Ladygray, that some of them went mad mad as beasts. It was placer gold loose gold, and MacDonald says that one day he and Jane filled their pockets with nuggets. Then something happened.
"It's not the gold, but MacDonald, that's taking me north, Ladygray. And it's not the gold that is taking MacDonald. It is strange, almost unbelievedly strange what I am going to tell you. To-day we are seeking a grave for you. And up there, two hundred miles in the north, another grave is calling MacDonald. I am going with him. It just happens that the gold is there.
Joanne and Peggy were more than prompt. They were waiting. If such a thing were possible Joanne was more radiantly lovely than the night before. To Aldous she became more beautiful every time he looked at her. But this morning he did not speak what was in his heart when, for a moment, he held her hand, and looked into her eyes. Instead, he said: "Good morning, Ladygray. Have you used "
When they reached Tête Jaune he came to me. And I promised to go with him, Ladygray back to the Valley of Gold. He calls it that; but I I think of it as The Valley of Silent Men. It is not the gold, but the cavern with the soft white floor that is calling us." In her saddle Joanne had straightened.
"He's the best publicity man I ever had, Ladygray. I did want you to know about this, and I wanted it to come to you in just this way, so that I wouldn't be compelled to tell you myself of the big and noble act I have done. It was my hope and desire that you, through some one else, would learn of it, and come to understand more fully what a generous and splendid biped I am.
Neither could have told the other what it was. When their eyes met again, it was in their faces. "I have planned to have supper in my cabin to-night," said Aldous, breaking the tension of that first moment. "Won't you be my guest, Ladygray?" "Mrs. Otto " she began. "I will go to her at once and explain that you are going to eat partridges with me," he interrupted.
"I shouldn't have said that," she cut in quickly, her lips tightening slightly. "It was utterly absurd of me to hint that I might require assistance that I cannot take care of myself. But I shall be proud of the friendship of John Aldous." "Yes, you can take care of yourself, Ladygray," said Aldous softly, looking into her eyes and yet speaking as if to himself.
His eyes were gray, smiling steel. "Close the door after me and lock it until I return," he said. "You are the first woman guest I ever had, Ladygray. I cannot allow you to be insulted!" As he went out she saw him slip something from his pocket. She caught the glitter of it in the lamp-glow. It was in the blood of John Aldous to kill Quade.
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