e an immature protector." And then, with a final gesture of
acknowledgment, she held out her hand to him. "And I have always
wanted," she said, "to thank you for what you did at the river."

He took her hand, and his heart bounded. "You're a gentleman!" he
exclaimed.

It was now her turn to be overcome with merriment. "I've always wanted
to be a man," she said.

"I am mighty glad you ain't," said he, looking at her.

But Molly had already received enough broadsides for one day. She could
allow no more of them, and she took herself capably in hand. "Where did
you learn to make such pretty speeches?" she asked. "Well, never mind
that. One sees that you have had plenty of practice for one so young."

"I am twenty-seven," blurted the Virginian, and knew instantly that he
had spoken like a fool.

"Who would have dreamed it!" said Molly, with well-measured mockery. She
knew that she had scored at last, and that this day was hers. "Don't
be too sure you are glad I'm not a man," she now told him. There was
something like a challenge in her voice.

"I risk it," he remarked.

"For I am almost twenty-three myself," she concluded. And she gave him a
look on her own account.

"And you'll not come a-ridin'?" he persisted.

"No," she answered him; "no." And he knew that he could not make her.

"Then I will tell yu' good-by," said he. "But I am comin' again. And
next time I'll have along a gentle hawss for yu'."

"Next time! Next time! Well, perhaps I will go with you. Do you live
far?"

"I live on Judge Henry's ranch, over yondeh." He pointed across the
mountains. "It's on Sunk Creek. A pretty rough trail; but I can come
hyeh to see you in a day, I reckon. Well, I hope you'll cert'nly enjoy
good health, ma'am."

"Oh, there's one thing!" said Molly Wood, calling after him rather
quickly. "I--I'm not at all afraid of horses. You needn't bring such
a gentle one. I--was very tired that day, and--and I don't scream as a
rule."

He turned and looked at her so that she could not meet his glance.
"Bless your heart!" said he. "Will yu' give me one o' those flowers?"

"Oh, certainly! I'm always so glad when people like them."

"They're pretty near the color of your eyes."

"Never mind my eyes."

"Can't help it, ma'am. Not since South Fork."

He put the flower in the leather band of his hat, and rode away on his
Monte horse. Miss Wood lingered a moment, then made some steps toward
her gate, from which he could still be