Page:By Sanction of Law.pdf/321

 Bennet placed his arm about the girl and comforted her. He looked at the face below his own and then at the revolver in his hand while into his mind came Kipling's words about the female of the species. He lifted the girl's face till their lips touched in a lover's embrace. Then he handed the revolver to her and pulled one of his own from his pocket. "That's enough protection for me," he said. "I don't believe I need that as long as I have two good hands," he added.

"You'll be careful, always, won't you, Truman?" she warned solicitously.

"Yes."

"For my sake, Truman, you'll always be careful?" she asked again.

"Don't you worry, Little Girl. I'll take care of myself. Better be getting back to the house. They'll be missing you."

"Oh, I forgot all about your breakfast. You must be starved," she turned to the table.

"Well, there is a decided emptiness somewhere about me. Hadn't thought of it before, though," he laughed.

"You poor boy. And Chloe and I brought food here for you this morning." She turned to the little table and lifted napkins from the luncheon. "Come," she said, "Let's eat."

Bennet lost no time in placing the table where he could sit on the cot and Lida on the chair. "All the comforts of home," he said. "God bless our home," he added.

The two sat and soon devoured the food, both being