d: "Say, what the devil do
you mean by proposin' to me with a wife in Noo Orleans? Now, this is a
respectable saloon, an' I don't want no more of it."

A look of gloom came into Rance's eyes.

"I didn't say anything--" he began.

"Push me that Queen," interrupted the Girl, sharply, gathering up the
cards at the faro table, and pointing to one that was just beyond her
reach. But when Rance handed it to her and was moving silently away, she
added: "Ah, no offence, Jack, but I got other idees o' married life from
what you have."

"Aw, nonsense!" came from the Sheriff in a voice that was not free from
irritation.

The Girl glanced up at him quickly. Her mind was not the abode of
hardened convictions, but was tender to sentiment, and something in his
manner at once softening her, she said:

"Nonsense? I dunno 'bout that. You see--" and her eyes took on a far
away look--"I had a home once an' I ain't forgot it--a home up over our
little saloon down in Soledad. I ain't forgot my father an' my mother
an' what a happy kepple they were. Lord, how they loved each other--it
was beautiful!"

Despite his seemingly callous exterior, there was a soft spot in the
gambler's heart. Every word that the Girl uttered had its effect on him.
Now his hands, which had been clenched, opened out and a new light came
into his eyes. Suddenly, however, it was replaced by one of anger, for
the door, at that moment, was hesitatingly pushed open, and The Sidney
Duck stood with his hand on the knob, snivelling:

"Oh, Miss, I--"

The Girl fairly flew over to him.

"Say, I've heard about you! You git!" she cried; and when she was
certain that he was gone she came back and took a seat at the table
where she continued, in the same reminiscent vein as before: "I can
see mother now fussin' over father an' pettin' 'im, an' father dealin'
faro--Ah, he was square! An' me a kid, as little as a kitten, under the
table sneakin' chips for candy. Talk 'bout married life--that was a
little heaven! Why, mother tho't so much o' that man, she was so much
heart an' soul with 'im that she learned to be the best case-keeper you
ever saw. Many a sleeper she caught! You see, when she played, she was
playin' for the ol' man." She stopped as if overcome with emotion, and
then added with great feeling: "I guess everybody's got some remembrance
o' their mother tucked away. I always see mine at the faro table with
her foot snuggled up to Dad's, an' the light o' lovin'