"Or better--Reddy. No other lady
ever had thet honor."
Allie looked at him steadily, as if this was the first time she had
seen him, but she did not reply. And Larry, easily disconcerted,
gathered up his burden and turned toward camp.
"Wal, I'm shore wishin' you-all good luck," he called,
significantly.
Neale shot a quick glance at Allie to see if the cowboy's good-
humored double meaning had occurred to her. But apparently she had
not heard. She seemed to be tiring. Her lips were parted and she
panted.
"Are you tired? Shall we go back?" he asked.
"No--I like it," she returned, slowly, as if the thought were
strange to her.
They fished on, and presently came to a wide, shallow place with
smooth rock bottom, where the trail crossed. Neale waded across
alone. And he judged that the water in the middle might come up to
Allie's knees.
"Come on," he called.
Allie hesitated. She gathered up her faded skirt, slowly waded in
and halted, uncertain of her footing. She was not afraid, Neale
decided, and neither did she seem aware that her slender, shapely
legs gleamed white against the dark water.
"Won't you come and carry me?" she asked.
"Indeed I won't," replied Neale. "Carry a big girl like you!"
She took him seriously and moved a little farther.
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