Page:Raymond Spears--Diamond Tolls.djvu/134



HEN they had eaten supper Urleigh sat down beside the bed where the wounded river man's weakness compelled him to lie.

"It looks funny to me." Gost shook his head. Wouldn't it to you? You see, I went on board that girl's shantyboat, and just said 'good evening' same as a man will. Course, I hadn't any right to be there, but she had her doors unlocked, and swinging. She didn't look mad, or anything. She was just a pretty girl, and alone. What do you expect, a pretty girl alone down Old Mississip'?"

A note of personal injury entered the man's tone.

"Now what'd you think, yourself? I ask you, man to man. I didn't go anywhere near her—just started to set down. I wasn't rough. I just visited. She drawed an automatic and plugged away, just as off hand and careless as that! Never give me a chance to explain or anything. Never said a word. What'd she shoot me for? I'd been through the snow, course! I'd ought to hailed from the bank—but that don't make any difference. She was damned quick with 128