Page:Hard-pan; a story of bonanza fortunes (IA hardpanbonanza00bonnrich).pdf/278

266 "Letitia," he said, in a tone the low pitch of which did not conceal a peremptory note.

"Yes," she answered rather listlessly, without turning from the window.

"I have something to say to you."

"Is it that you 're going to be married, too?" she asked, smiling.

"No—at least, I don't know. Listen to me. I want—"

She checked him with a sudden cry, and leaned forward, staring out of the window.

"Oh, John—wait! That girl! Did you see her? I 'm almost sure it was Viola Reed."

In an instant every thought of Letitia had vanished from his mind.

"Where?" he said. "What girl? Which way did she go?"

"Look out of the back window," said Letitia, greatly excited. "Do you see her? A woman in black, walking quickly. I just caught a glimpse of her side face as she moved her umbrella, and it looked very like."

Through the small back window Gault saw the woman—a slender figure in black, the head bent forward under the fronting shield of her umbrella. As she passed a lamp he saw the gleam of blond hair. She was walking so rapidly that already she was some distance away. He pulled the strap, and the carriage came to a jolting halt.