"
"I know that you are sincere, Patches," she answered, gravely.
"Thank you," he returned. Then he said gently, "I want you to let me
talk to you about what is most emphatically none of my business. I want
you to let me ask you impertinent questions. I want you to talk to me
about"--he hesitated; then finished with meaning--"about your career."
She felt his earnestness, and was big enough to understand, and be
grateful for the spirit that prompted his words.
"Why, Patches," she cried, "after all that your friendship has meant to
me, these past months, I could not think any question that you would ask
impertinent Surely you know that, don't you?"
"I hoped that you would feel that way. And I know that I would give five
years of my life if I knew how to convince you of the truth which I have
learned from my own bitter experience, and save you from--from
yourself."
She could not mistake his earnestness and in spite of herself the man's
intense feeling moved her deeply.
"Save me from myself?" she questioned. "What in the world do you mean,
Patches?"
"Is it true," he asked, "that your father is offering the ranch for
sale, and that you are going out of the Williamson Valley life?"
"Yes, but it is not such a sudden move as it seems.
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