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Hersombrero fell off and her hair covered her eyes. Shehad changed a hundred
times, like the shifting of a wind vane. Some of these cowboys were full of wit
and humor. Janey knew he wassaying to himself he must not have faith in dreams.
Randolph wassimply an honest boy, very much in love, and at the mercy of
hisfeelings. You could dig right hereand find a million bones. My, thats a
jawbreaker, replied Janey, with a laugh.
Randolph, Id fall and break my neck
before Id let you help me,returned Janey, loftily.
Janey moved on out of
earshot of her loyal cavaliers. In the east the panorama was no less striking
and beautiful.
Janey was wholly at ease again when her father joined her in the
livingroom.
Then she leaped the fissures, and took some chances of
hurtingherself. Well, you can bet Im glad, whatever it is. You can follow up
your archaeological work for the love of it.
Was sheself-sufficient as she had
supposed?
I left Ray below alittle way and went on alone. Imay have to marry an
archaeologist someday.
Arent you just inventing an opportunity to ride with me?
Shewould walk right into their little trap.
Janey now took stock of the
archaeologists cave. He talked as if she were a nine-year-oldchild. But Im
really not tiredthat is, physically. Human eyes had gazedout of that window
ages ago. I hope to goodness you didnt ride up here alone, he said.
He had
helped along her little plan by placing himself at adisadvantage.
Janey left
him in the dining room, too hungry for conversation.
Janey now took stock of
the archaeologists cave. She refused in the heat of the moment to answera query
that knocked at her ears. I thought they were going to beregular fellows.
That
ended her meditations,for Ray appeared curious and keen about her visit to the
archaeologist. The beauty and color and solitude, the vastness of it had
calledto something deep in her. Its a very commendable thing, andgives you a
kinship with most men.
She had already crossed thisstream at a different point,
though not alone.
Things for her had come to a very sad passindeed, if her
father could go to such extremes. I hope to goodness you didnt ride up here
alone, he said.
It is you who have not been aware of mypresence.
Why, I cant
even get a kick out of a horse, complainedJaney.
If your father cant make you
behave somebody else must.
Phil, I never guessed you could be eloquent, or so
good at blarney, shesaid, studying him gravely.
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