Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Hilma!Thenamestruckacrossinhisbrainwithapleasant,glowingtremour.Allthroughthatdayofactivity,ofstrenuousbusiness,theminuteandcautiousplanningofthefinalcampaigninthegreatwaroftheLeagueandtheTrust,theideaofherandtherecollectionofherhadbeentheundercurrentofhisthoughts.Atlasthewasalone.Hecouldputallotherthingsbehindhimandoccupyhimselfsolelywithher.

           Inthatgloryoftheday’send,inthatchaosofsunshine,hesawheragain.Unimaginative,crude,direct,hisfancy,nevertheless,placedherbeforehim,steepedinsunshine,saturatedwithgloriouslight,brilliant,radiant,alluring.Hesawthesweetsimplicityofhercarriage,thestatuesqueevennessofthecontoursofherfigure,thesingle,deepswellofherbosom,thesolidmassesofherhair.Herememberedthesmallcontradictorysuggestionsoffemininedaintinesshehadsooftenremarkedabouther,herslim,narrowfeet,thelittlesteelbucklesofherlowshoes,theknotofblackribbonshehadbeguntowearoflateonthebackofherhead,andheheardhervoice,low-pitched,velvety,asweet,murmuringhuskinessthatseemedtocomemorefromherchestthanfromherthroat.

           Thebuckskin’shoofsclattereduponthegravellyflatsofBroderson’sCreekunderneaththeLongTrestle.Annixter’smindwentbacktothesceneofthepreviousevening,whenhehadcomeuponheratthisplace.Hesethisteethwithangeranddisappointment.