"Out with it, kitten!" he demanded. "What's troubling you? Don Morley
business?"
She kissed his nearest hand.
"Thought so. You--you got to like him pretty well, eh?"
She nodded between her sobs.
"Better 'n most anybody?" he asked it jealously, but unflinchingly.
"Except you, Daddy." It was a faint whisper, but it was reassuring.
"And what about him?" the Colonel continued.
Another burst of tears, then a resolute effort at self-control.
"He meant to do what's right. I know he did! He promised to give up
drinking and gambling and go to work."
"He made a good start!" The Colonel knocked the ashes from his pipe.
"And after he got into the fracas, what in thunder did he run away
for? Why didn't he stay and face it out? Any fool would know that if
Dillingham is cleared, the suspicion would all be on him."
"But, Daddy, we haven't heard his side yet. If I could just hear from
him, or see him."
"See him!" he exploded. "What in the name of the devil do you want to
see him for? No siree! Not while Bob Carsey's got any buckshot left in
his gun! Do you think there's any chance of his prowling 'round here
while I'm gone? That settles it! I'll not budge an inch.
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