Page:Caroline Lockhart--The Fighting Shepherdess.djvu/28

 THE FIGHTING SHEPHERDESS She did not answer, and he urged :

" Go on. Don't be afraid. You can tell me any- thing."

She replied in a strained voice :

" Pete Mullendore, he — "

A gust of wind blew the shoulder cape back and he saw her bare arm with the sleeve of her dress hanging by a shred.

"—he did this?"

" Yes. He — insulted — me — I — can't — tell — you — what — he — said."

"And then?"

" I scratched him and bit him. I fought him all over the place. He was chokin' me. I got to a quirt and struck him on the head — with the handle. It was loaded. He dropped like he was dead. I ran to my room and clum out the window — "

" Your mother — "

" She — laughed."

" God ! " He stooped and picked up the little bundle she had dropped at her feet. " Come along, Partner. You are going into the sheep business with ' Mormon Joe.'"

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