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Ainsa's feelings," chided his partner. "Think I'm going to make a monkey of myself at my age?" Dick turned mournfully to the messenger of war. "I'm afraid it's off, Mr. Ainsa. My second says he won't play." "We shall be very glad to furnish you a second, sir." "All right, and while you're at it furnish a principal, too. I'm an American.
Dick looked at the envelope, and back at the youth who had handed it to him, after which he crowded in and pump-handled the other's arm again. "That's awfully good of him, Mr. 'Tain't-so." "My name is Ainsa, at your service," corrected the New Mexican. "Beg pardon Ainsa.
I write my address Cripple Creek, Colorado, U.S.A. We don't fight duels in my country any more. They've gone out with buckled shoes and knee-pants, Mr. Ainsa." "Do I understand that Mr. Gordon declines to meet my friend on the field of honor?" "That's the size of it." "I am then instruct' to warn you to go armed, as my friend will punish your insolence at sight informally."
Ainsa agreed, though he felt sure that even she could not induce his friend to withdraw from a position which he felt his honor called him to take. Nor did the mistress of the valley find it easy to lead her tenants to her way of thinking. They were respectful, outwardly acquiescent, but the girl saw, with a sinking heart, that they remained of their own opinion.
You're not in the sere and yellow yet. Don't forget you'll not be twenty-one till next month." "One counts time not by years, but by its fullness," he said, in the manner of one who could tell volumes if he would. "I see. And what has been happening of such tremendous importance?" Mr. Ainsa attempted to twirl his mustache, and was as silent as honor demanded. "Pooh! It's no secret.
"It is hard, Val. Perhaps I might pick a quarrel with this American and " She caught him up sharply, but he forgave it when he saw her white misery. "Don't you dare think of it, Ramon Ainsa. One would think nobody in the valley had any business except fighting with this man. What has he done to you? Or to these others? You are very brave, all of you, when you know you are a hundred to one.
"And I hope he don't," laughed Gordon. "Must you really be going, colonel? Can't I do a thing for you in the refreshment line first? Well, so long. Good hunting for your friend. See him later." Thus cheerfully did the irrepressible Gordon speed Mr. Ainsa on his way. That young man had somehow the sense of having been too youthful to cope with the gay Gordon.
I expect I hadn't ought to have irrigated the don so thorough, but it's real good of him to overlook it and write me a friendly note. It's uncommon handsome of him after I disarranged his laundry so abrupt." "If the señor will read the letter " interrupted the envoy desperately. "Certainly. But let me offer you something to drink first, Mr. Ain't-so." "Ainsa." "Ainsa, I should say.
A plain American has to go some to round up and get the right brand on some of these blue-blooded names of yours. What'll it be?" "Thank you. I am not thirsty. I prefer not." With which Mr. Ainsa executed another bow. "Just as you say, colonel. But you'll let me know if you change your mind."
Ainsa met his persiflage promptly. "I do assure you, señor, it will not be at all necesair. Don Manuel can shoot chickens for himself and larger game." "I'm sure he'll find good hunting," the other gave him back, looking up genially. "He is a good hunter, señor." "Don't doubt it a bit," granted the cordial Anglo-Saxon.
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