Page:Morley roberts--Painted Rock.djvu/260

 "Day to you," he said sulkily. "Will you know me agin, stranger?"

The stranger started, and said hastily that he "warn't" looking for anything but Bill Higginson's place.

"Waal, thet's it, and you're welcome to it," said Billy, as he put spurs to his broncho and loped off. The stranger pulled his own horse round and stared after him.

"I b'lieve that was Amandy with him, and that he was a-kissin' her, or my eyes deceived me," said Bill Higginson's brother. "He sure looked frightable s'if he suspicioned some I'd c'ot him. This must be told to Bill. It will make Bill mad."

He rode to the house and alighted. Mis' Higginson and Amandy came out.

"Mary, my dear, and Amandy, how air you?" asked George Higginson. "And wheer's Bill?"

"You're welcome, brother-in-law," said Mis' Higginson, "but Bill's to Painted Rock, and won't be hum till to-night. Kem in out o' the sun and set daown. Amandy will look arter your hoss."