Page:MacLeod Raine - The Sheriff's Son.djvu/370

 Roy deserted the peace conference at once and joined her.

"Oh! I did n't know it was you," she cried. "I'm so glad you came this way. Was it … all right?"

"Right as the wheat. Why did you send Pat up Del Oro?"

She looked at him with eyes incredibly kind and shy. "Because I … did n't want to run any chance of losing my new beau."

"Are you sure that was your only reason?"

"Certain sure. I did n't trust Meldrum, and … I thought you had taken chances enough with him. So I gave Mr. Ryan an opportunity."

"He took it," her lover answered gravely.

She glanced at him quickly. "You mean—?"

"Never mind what I mean now. We 've more important things to talk about. I have n't seen you for eight hours, and thirty-three minutes."

Rutherford turned his guests over to Ned, who led the way to the stable. The ranchman joined the lovers. He put an arm around Beulah.

"Boots has done told me about you two, Mr. Beaudry. I'm eternally grateful to you for bringing back my little girl to me, and if you all feel right sure you care for each other I 've