Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Whyhadshenotbeenabletounderstand?Whatwasthematterwiththesewomen,alwayssetuponthismarryingnotion?Wasitnotenoughthathewantedhermorethananyothergirlheknewandthatshewantedhim?Shehadsaidasmuch.DidshethinkshewasgoingtobemistressofQuienSabe?Ah,thatwasit.Shewasafterhisproperty,wasformarryinghimbecauseofhismoney.Hisunconquerablesuspicionofthewoman,hisinnatedistrustofthefeminineelementwouldnotbedoneawaywith.Whatfathomlessduplicitywashers,thatshecouldappearsoinnocent.Itwasalmostunbelievable;infact,wasitbelievable?

           Forthefirsttimedoubtassailedhim.SupposeHilmawasindeedallthatsheappearedtobe.Supposeitwasnotwithheraquestionofhisproperty,afterall;itwasapoortimetothinkofmarryinghimforhispropertywhenallQuienSabehungintheissueofthenextfewmonths.Supposeshehadbeensincere.Buthecaughthimselfup.Washetobefooledbyafeemalegirlatthislatedate?He,BuckAnnixter,crafty,hard-headed,amanofaffairs?Notmuch.Whatevertranspiredhewouldremainthemaster.

           HereachedQuienSabeinthisframeofmind.Butatthishour,Annixter,forallhisresolutions,couldnolongercontrolhisthoughts.Ashestrippedthesaddlefromthebuckskinandledhertothewateringtroughbythestablecorral,hisheartwasbeatingthickattheverynotionofbeingnearHilmaagain.Itwasgrowingdark,butcovertlyheglancedhereandthereoutofthecornersofhiseyestoseeifshewasanywhereabout.