That would
be a fateful moment. He played with a certain strange joy
of anticipation. When, however, she sat down beside him
and rested his injured hand in her lap as she cut bandages,
she was so thrillingly near that he yielded to an irrepressible
desire to look up. She had a sweet, fair face warmly tinted with
that same healthy golden-brown sunburn. Her hair was light gold
and abundant, a waving mass. Her eyes were shaded by long,
downcast lashes, yet through them he caught a gleam of blue.
Despite the stir within him, Gale, seeing she was now absorbed
in her task, critically studied her with a second closer gaze.
She was a sweet, wholesome, joyous, pretty girl.
"Shore it musta hurt?" replied Laddy, who sat an interested spectator.
"Yes, I confess it did," replied Dick, slowly, with his eyes on
Nell's face. "But I didn't mind."
The girl's lashes swept up swiftly in surprise. She had taken his
words literally. But the dark-blue eyes met his for only a fleeting
second. Then the warm tint in her cheeks turned as red as her
lips. Hurriedly she finished tying the bandage and rose to her
feet.
"I thank you," said Gale, also rising.
With that Belding appeared in the doorway, and finding the
operation concluded, called them in to supper. Dick had the use
of only one arm, and he certainly was keenly aware of the shy,
silent girl across the table; but in spite of these considerable
handicaps he eclipsed both hungry cowboys in the assault upon
Mrs.
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