Page:Caroline Lockhart--The full of the Moon.djvu/186

 left and—well, the versatile Riley was a wonder.

In his depression and humility he could not think of a single quality he had to recommend him to an intelligent girl.

Yet after reviewing every phase of the situation and admitting meekly his own inadequacy, he found when morning came that he was, no more resigned to the relinquishment of the future he had planned with Nan than before.

"I don't want to be a cad and force myself upon her if she really knows her own mind," he said miserably to the reflection which looked at him from the mirror, "but I can't just take myself off and quit until I'm sure beyond the question of a doubt that she loves him and has no use on earth for me.

"I'm not a noble hero. I'd run like thunder if one of these long-horned steers chased me, and any horse that pitches could probably lay me on the back of my neck, but I do believe I'm man enough to take my medicine and help smooth the way for her if she can't be happy with any one but this prairie knight."