Page:Hard-pan; a story of bonanza fortunes (IA hardpanbonanza00bonnrich).pdf/164

152 The increase in her beauty and attraction which he had felt rose from the consciousness that she was loved.

"I was n't thinking about anything much," he said evasively. "I 'd like to sit on here this way, not thinking or worrying or caring, but just watching you."

"There is no reason why you should n't do it; only it does n't sound very amusing."

"It is n't amusing."

"I know it is n't," she said contritely, "and I 'm so sorry that I have to do this old coat; but it will be done soon, and then we can talk. Just a minute—just a minute!"

She spoke in a busy tone, and went on turning the coat about, jerking at the buttons, and plunging her hands into the pockets.

Gault felt that the pleasure of thus sitting and looking at her was sapping his resolution. He felt himself drifting away, aimless and irresponsible, on the current of the moment. The duties of past and future were lost sight of in the dreamy satisfaction of watching the light on her hair and the movements of her hands.

He rose suddenly and walked to the window, with a remark about seeing if the fog was lifting. As he turned, he saw her take a folded paper from one of the coat-pockets, and, standing looking out of the window, heard the crisp