He saw
that the young miner had recovered his habitual tone of raillery, and
that the girl was now looking up at him with eyes full of deprecation.
"Miss Lawton," said Bennington with formality, "I hope you will allow
me, after your great kindness, to see that you get down the gulch
safely."
Fay cut in before the girl could reply.
"Don't bother about that, de Laney," said he, in a most cavalier
fashion. "I'll see to it."
"I did not address you, sir!" returned Bennington coldly. The
Westerner's eyes twinkled with amusement. The girl interrupted.
"Thank you very much, Mr. de Laney, but Mr. Fay is right--I wouldn't
trouble you." Her eyes commanded Fay, and he moved a little apart.
"Don't be angry," she pleaded hurriedly, in an undertone, "but it's
better that way to-night. And I think you acted grandly."
"You are the one who acted grandly," he replied, a little mollified.
"How can I ever thank you? You came just in time."
She laughed.
"You're not angry, are you?" she coaxed.
"No, of course not; what right have I to be?"
"I don't like that--quite--but I suppose it will do. You'll be there
to-morrow?"
"You know I will.
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