THE FIGHTING SHEPHERDESS
" Oh." He considered a moment, then moded, "Got religion?"
" Not yet," curtly.
"Jest wanted me close? 01' friends are the best friends — ain't they? " He grinned weakly at her.
" Pete," slowly, "there are some questions I want to ask you."
" Thought it was about time for the pumps to start What do you want to know? "
Kate's heart leaped. She endeavored to steady her voice, to keep out of her face the eagerness with which she trembled, as she replied:
" I want to know who my father is — where he is, if he's alive. Oh, Pete! " Her hands came together be- seechingly, " Tell me that — I beg of you tell me about him."^
Satisfaction glistened in his eyes.
" I thought that would be it! The only civil words I ever got out of you when you was a kid was when you hoped to make me loosen up and talk to you about him." Then he asked again with an expression she could not interpret, " You're sure you'd ruther I give up that than anything else on earth?"
" Yes, Pete! " she gulped. " It means so much to me."
" I guess yes. The ground wouldn't be good enough for your feet if the ' Old Man ' had you."
" Is that the truth? He'd care for me like that? Oh, Pete! "
"Care? He'd worship you. Them Prouty folks would bite themselves if they could see your Old Man," he chuckled faintly.
" He is still living, then? Oh, Pete I " She extended two pleading hands impulsively, " Don't make me wait! "
Something other thatv iwer glittered in his eyes, and
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