Page:From the West to the West.djvu/124

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"That's *cause I Ve never been in love, I guess. They say that all people when in love are fools."

"I want you to go with me to meet that man to-night, Jean."

"I? What for?" I *m going to talk it out; and I'll need a witness." Absurd! You remind me of a mqth around a candle. Does your mother know about this?"

"No. I let her think an Indian was wanting me for a wife, and she remained hidden till the freighters had gone. The rest was easy. She is mortally afraid of Indians."

"I can't imagine why you desire an interview with a man you are trying to avoid. How did you arrange a meeting?"

"I sent him a note by Hal, who thinks I want to buy a buffalo robe like your mother's."

"To be plain with you, Mrs. McAlpin, you 're a fool."

"I know it. But I confess to you that I want to see him so I can defy him."

If you want sensible advice, go to daddie." I don't want anybody's advice. I just want you to accompany me, and keep hidden so as to be close at hand during the interview. He has no idea that he is going to meet Daphne Benson."

As Jean had been forbidden by her father to continue her rides in Mrs. McAlpin' s company, she did not feel satisfied with herself during this stolen interview.

"Then you didn't let your husband know it was you who wanted to see him?"

"Of course not. What do you take me for?"

"I'll certainly take you for one of the silliest women on earth if you don't give up this interview." - "I believe, after all, that you 're right, Jeanie. But I thought, if I met him unexpectedly out here in these wilds and put him upon his honor, he would never try