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On these occasions it was his keenest pleasure to lay his sermons and plans before Belle for her criticism and approval. When they were not together indoors, they were in the saddle together; all the world knew, understood, and wished them joy. The Hoomers had come to be prominent in the church now at least, Ma Hoomer and Lou-Jane had. It was Lou-Jane's doing.
Was it loyalty to Belle that led her to throw up a barrier between herself and the Preacher? or was it knowledge that the flowers are ever fairest in the fenced-in field? This much was sure, the interest of passing attraction was giving place to a deeper feeling. A feeling stronger every month. Lou-Jane was in the game to win; and was playing well.
Hartigan did so, leaving only the three-foot bar of the pasture. Lou-Jane circled off and cleared it without an effort. "Raise it one," she shouted. He did so, and over she went. "Again." Now, at four feet, the pony rose and went over. "Another," and he raised to four and a half feet. As before, she and her pony sailed over like one creature. "Again," and he raised it to five feet.
"Will you lift me down?" she said merrily; not that she had the least need of help, but she liked to feel those strong arms about her; and as he did so, she made herself quite unnecessarily limp and clinging. Jim did not usually lack words, but Lou-Jane was so voluble that he was completely silenced.
The mingling of the Irish and Spanish blood in her had resulted in black eyes, black eyebrows, and red, or golden-red hair, combined with a clear, brilliant Irish complexion. She was lively, energetic, rather clever, and tremendously taken with the new preacher. Jim was naturally shy with women, as most big men seem to be, and the masterful Lou-Jane smote him with utter confusion.
Lou-Jane was playing better than she was, and it maddened her ever more as she realized that the present plans could end only in one way the way that she, at any price, must stop. And in the hours of tumult, of reasoning every course out to its bitter end, this at length came clear: There was but one way that was marry him now.
Lou-Jane was actually moved, and Belle glowed with pride to see her hero really touching the nobler strings of human emotion strings that such a community is apt to lose sight of under cobwebs of long disuse but they are there and ready to resound to the strong, true soul that can touch them with music. But what was it in the trampling horses that stirred some undiscovered depth in his own heart?
Her horse had cleared a jump that his had shied at. Mrs. Waller had said to her across the table, half in fun and meaning it every word: "See here, I won't have you trifling with Mr. Hartigan's affections; remember, he's preëmpted." Lou-Jane laughed with delight. And, looking very handsome all the while, she said with mock humility: "No one would consider me a rival."
"Why, Rochester is just a little run across the lake from Coulter College," exclaimed Jim. "Maybe I'll see you when I am there," said Lou-Jane. "What fun!" Every one applauded and Jim said: "Well, that would make a pleasant change in the dreary grind."
Handsome, her colour up, her eyes sparkling, Lou-Jane could have ridden away, for she had the better mount, but she didn't; she rode beside him, and, when a little gully called for a jump, they jumped together, and found abundant cause for laughter.
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