instant into laughter.

That sickening grip in the chest which is a real, physical pain,
though the hurt be given to the soul of a man, slowed Dade's steps to
a lagging advance towards the tableau the two made on the steps. So
had the senorita sent him dizzy with desire (and with hope to brighten
it) in the two weeks and more that he had been the honored guest. So
had she laughed and teased him and mocked him; and he had believed
that to him alone would she show the sweet whimsies of her nature. But
from the moment when he laid her gold thimble in her waiting hand and
got no reward save an absent little nod of thanks, the dull ache had
been growing in his heart. He knew what it was that had sent Jose off
in that headlong rage against all gringos; though two days before
he would have said that Jose's jealousy was for him, and with good
reason. There had been glances between those two who stood now so
close together--swift measuring of the weapons which sex uses against
sex, with quick smiles when the glances chanced to meet. Jose also had
seen the byplay; and the fire had smoldered in his eyes until at last
it kindled into flame and drove him cursing from the place. In his
heart Dade could not blame Jose.

Forgotten while Teresita held back with one hand a black lock which
the wind was trying to fling across her eyes, and murmured mocking
commiseration over the half obliterated callouses on Jack's hand,
Dade loitered across the patio, remembering many things whose very
sweetness made the present hurt more bitter. He might have known it
would be like this, he told himself sternly; but life during the past
two weeks had been too sweet for forebodings or for precaution. He
had wanted Jack to see and admire Teresita, with the same impulse that
would have made him want to show Jack any other treasure which Chance
held out to him while Hope smiled over her shoulder and whispered that
it was his.

Well, Jack had seen her, and Jack surely admired her; and the grim
humor of Dade's plight struck through the ache and made him laugh,
even though his jaws immediately went together with a click of teeth
and cut the laugh short. He might have known--but he was not the sort
of man who stands guard against friend and foe alike.

And, he owned to himself, Jack was unconscious of any hurt for his
friend in this rather transparent wooing. A little thought would have
enlightened him, perhaps, or a little observation; but Dade could
not