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"Can't you come over to the ranch for a little while?" asked Betty, eager to do some little thing toward cheering the girl. But Meggy shook her head. "I can't leave father even for a little while," she said sadly. "He ain't feeling well, and I'm afraid if his luck doesn't change pretty soon I I won't have any dad " she choked and turned away.
That sounds rather Irish, doesn't it?" he added, with his contagious grin. "You're right about that, I suppose," said Betty gravely. "As you say, Dan Higgins is just one of a hundred others in the same pitiful fix. But at least he has had his dreams and the excitement of gambling. He chose this sort of life, and so we don't feel so awfully sorry for him. But it is his daughter Meggy that we pity.
Left to themselves, the girls crowded around Meggy, questioning her, congratulating her, demanding to know how it had all happened and when. "My my mouth is so dry I can hardly speak," said Meggy, quivering with nervous reaction. "I I can't jest make up my mind that it has happened yet." "We know," said Betty, soothingly. "You needn't tell us about it if you don't want to."
This was so evidently a cry straight from her earnest young heart that the keen eyes of the hardened old miner filled with tears and he patted Betty's head with an unsteady hand. "You're a mighty fine little gal," he said finally. "Ef an old man's gratitude means anything to you, you sure have got it. I've a sort of sure feelin' you've changed the luck for Meggy and me."
"And what for yoursel'?" she inquired. "A bawbee," he said, "the night afore the Muckley." The bargain was made, but before he could get away, "Tell me, laddie," said Meggy, coaxingly, "has Kitty Elshioner joined?" They were all as curious to know who had joined as they were anxious to keep their own membership a secret; but Tommy betrayed none, at least none who agreed to his proposal.
Once Betty had caught Meggy looking longingly at Nigger as he was trying his best to get some nourishment from the stubbly grass, and with the quick impulsiveness that was hers, she asked the girl if she would like a ride. At the sudden radiance that flooded Meggy's face, Betty turned away abashed. She felt as though she had been given a glimpse of the girl's soul.
Then dad came runnin' out to show the other fellers what he'd found, an' seemed like they went crazy too. "Then you come an' an' I guess thet's 'bout all." The girls drew a long breath. "All," repeated Grace, softly. "I should think it was about enough for one day!" "An' now," said Meggy, in a small little voice, "poor old dad an' me, we're rich rich! Think of it Meggy an' her dad!
That's why they calls him the hermit, 'cause he lives alone an' hates everybody." "All except Meggy, here," interposed the old man, a look of pride in his eyes as he gazed at his daughter. "He likes her fust rate. She says it's 'cause she takes him grub an' good things to eat. But I know better." "Pshaw, Dad," cried the girl, flushing with embarrassment.
But probably so simple a woman as Meggy Rattray could have deceived you into believing that because her eyes were downcast she did not notice who put the three-penny- bit in the plate. A few men were unaware that the bell was working overtime, most of them farmers with their eyes on the windows, but all the women at least were wondering.
However, Allen, by his own gracious and friendly manner, soon set her at ease, but her eyes continued to follow every movement of his as though in amazement that such a perfect creature could live. "Better look out, Betty," Grace whispered to the Little Captain when nobody was looking. "Meggy thinks Allen is pretty nice. Just watch her, she's hypnotized." But Betty only smiled.
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