Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Annixtersatdownonagreatrockclosebyand,theloopofthebridleoverhisarm,litacigar,andbegantotalk.Hecomplainedoftheheatoftheday,thebadconditionoftheLowerRoad,overwhichhehadcomeonhiswayfromacommitteemeetingoftheLeagueatLosMuertos;oftheslownessoftheworkontheirrigatingditch,and,asamatterofcourse,ofthegeneralhardtimes.

           “MissHilma,”hesaidabruptly,“neveryoumarryaranchman.He’sneveroutoftrouble.”

           Hilmagasped,hereyeswideningtillthefullroundofthepupilwasdisclosed.Instantly,acertain,inexplicableguiltinessoverpoweredherwithincredibleconfusion.Herhandstrembledasshepressedthebundleofcressesintoahardballbetweenherpalms.

           Annixtercontinuedtotalk.Hewasdisturbedandexcitedhimselfatthisunexpectedmeeting.Neverthroughallthepastwintermonthsofstrenuousactivity,thefeverofpoliticalcampaigns,theharrowingdelaysandultimatedefeatinonelawcourtafteranother,hadheforgottenthelookinHilma’sfaceashestoodwithonearmaroundheronthefloorofhisbarn,inperilofhislifefromthebuster’srevolver.ThatdumbconfessionofHilma’swide-openeyeshadbeenenoughforhim.Yet,somehow,heneverhadhadachancetoactuponit.DuringtheshortperiodwhenhecouldbeonhisranchHilmahadalwaysmanagedtoavoidhim.Once,even,shehadspentamonth,aboutChristmastime,withhermother’sfather,whokeptahotelinSanFrancisco.

           Now,to-day,however,hehadheralltohimself.