And
I kept my pledges.
The hopeful glow left Sally's face. Her disappointment seemed keen. Then
a little scorn of certainty was the bitterest of all for me to bear.
"That's too much to promise all at once," I protested lamely, and I knew
I would have done better to keep silence.
"Russ, a promise like that is nothing--if a man loves a girl," she
retorted. "Don't make any more love to me, please, unless you want me to
laugh at you. And don't feel such terrible trouble if you happen to see
me flirting occasionally."
She ended with a little mocking laugh. That was the perverse side of
her, the cat using her claws. I tried not to be angry, but failed.
"All right. I'll take my medicine," I replied bitterly. "I'll certainly
never make love to you again. And I'll stand it if I happen to see
Waters kiss you, or any other decent fellow. But look out how you let
that damned backbiter Wright fool around you!"
I spoke to her as I had never spoken before, in quick, fierce meaning,
with eyes holding hers.
She paled. But even my scarce-veiled hint did not chill her anger.
Tossing her head she wheeled and rode away.
I followed at a little distance, and thus we traveled the ten miles back
to the ranch.
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