"
"I should be quite content with whatever you usually have."
"Doubted," replied the other. "I live rather a frugal life. It saves
trouble."
"And I'm afraid I'm going to make you trouble. But you brought it upon
yourself."
"By interfering. Exactly. How old are you?"
"Twenty."
"Good Heavens! You have the aplomb of fifty."
"Experience," smiled the girl, flattered.
"And the recklessness of fifteen."
"I abide by the rules of the game. And when I find myself--well, out of
bounds, I make my own rules."
Miss Van Arsdale shook her firmly poised head. "It won't do. The rules
are the same everywhere, for honorable people."
"Honorable!" There was a flash of resentful pride as the girl turned in
the saddle to face her companion.
"I have no intention of preaching at you or of questioning you,"
continued the calm, assured voice. "If you are looking for
sanctuary"--the fine lips smiled slightly--"though I'm sure I can't see
why you should need it, this is the place. But there are rules of
sanctuary, also."
"I suppose," surmised the girl, "you want to know why I don't go back
into the world at once."
"No."
"Then I'll tell you."
"As you wish."
"I came West to be married."
"To Delavan Eyre?"
Again the dun pony jumped, this time because a sudden involuntary
contraction of his rider's muscles had startled him.
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