The heavy jaw and
square-cut chin demonstrated rugged pertinacity and
indomitability. Nor, though the attributes of the lion were
there, was there wanting the certain softness, the hint of
womanliness, which bespoke the emotional nature.
'So thet's how me an' the ol' woman got spliced,' said Belden,
concluding the exciting tale of his courtship. '"Here we be,
Dad," sez she. "An' may yeh be damned," sez he to her, an' then
to me, "Jim, yeh--yeh git outen them good duds o' yourn; I want a
right peart slice o' thet forty acre plowed 'fore dinner." An'
then he sort o' sniffled an' kissed her. An' I was thet
happy--but he seen me an' roars out, "Yeh, Jim!" An' yeh bet I
dusted fer the barn.' 'Any kids waiting for you back in the
States?' asked the stranger.
'Nope; Sal died 'fore any come. Thet's why I'm here.' Belden
abstractedly began to light his pipe, which had failed to go out,
and then brightened up with, 'How 'bout yerself,
stranger--married man?' For reply, he opened his watch, slipped
it from the thong which served for a chain, and passed it over.
Belden picked up the slush lamp, surveyed the inside of the case
critically, and, swearing admiringly to himself, handed it over
to Louis Savoy.
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