When I secuahed the requiahed evidence,I couldn't wait to finish,so I came straight ovah,to make sure of heh."He arose and handed the satchel to father.
"I notice you have a very good looking gun convenient,"he said.
"Would you put these papahs where you consider them safe until I'm ready to return?Our home,our living,and the honah of a man are there,and we are mighty particular about that bag,are we not,Shelley?""Well I should think we are!"cried Shelley."For goodness sake,father,hang to it!Is the man still living?Could you get that evidence over again?""He was alive when I left,but the doctors said ten days would be his limit,so he may be gone befowr this."Father picked up the satchel,set it on his knees,and stroked it as if it were alive.
"Well!Well!"he said."Now would any one think such a little thing could contain so much?"Shelley leaned toward Robert.
"Your friend!"she cried,"Your friend!What DID he say to you?
What did he DO?"
"Well,for a time he was wildly happy ovah having the stain removed from his honah,and knowing that he would have his family and faw'tn back;but there is an extremely sad feature to his case that is not yet settled,so he must keep his head level until we work that out.Now about that hoss you wanted to show me----"he turned to Leon.
Mother gave the signal,and we left the table.Father carried the satchel to his chest,made room for it,locked it in and put the key in his pocket.Then our men started to the barn to show the Arab-Kentucky horse.Mr.Paget went to Shelley and took her in his arms exactly like Peter did Sally before the parlour door that time when I got into trouble,and he looked at mother and laughed as he said:"I hope you will excuse me,but I been having a very nawsty,anxious time,and I cawn't conform to the rules for a few days,until I become accustomed to the fawct that Shelley is not lost to me.It was beastly when I reached Chicago,had back all my letters,and found she had gone home ill.I've much suffering to recompense.I'll atone for a small portion immediately."He lifted Shelley right off the floor--that's how big and strong he was--he hugged her tight,and kissed her forehead,cheeks,and eyes.
"When I've gone through the fahmality of asking your parents for you,and they have said a gracious `yes,'I'll put the fust one on your lips,"he said,setting her down carefully."In the meantime,you be fixing your mouth to say,`yes,'also,when I propose to you,because it's coming befowr you sleep."Shelley was like a peach blossom.She reached up and touched his cheek,while she looked at mother all smiling,and sparkling,as she said:"You see!"Mother smiled back.
"I do,indeed!"she answered.
Leon pulled Mr.Paget's sleeve.
"Aw quit lally-gaggin'and come see a real horse,"he said.
Robert put his other arm around Leon,drew him to his side and hugged him as if he were a girl."I'm so glad Shelley has a lawge family,"he said."Big families are jolly.I'm so proud of all the brothers I'm going to have.I was the only boy at home.""You haven't told us about your family,"said mother.
"No,"said Robert,"but I intend to.I have a family!One of the finest on uth.We'll talk about them after this hoss is inspected."He let Shelley go and walked away,his arm still around Leon.
Shelley ran to mother and both of them sobbed out loud.
"NOW YOU SEE HOW IT WAS!"she said.
"You poor child!"cried mother."Indeed I DO see how it was.
You've been a brave girl.A good,brave girl!Father and I are mighty proud of you!""Oh mother!I thought you were ashamed of me!"sobbed Shelley.
"Oh my child!"said mother quavery-like."Oh my child!You surely see that none of us could understand,as we do now."She patted Shelley,and told her to run upstairs and lie down for a while,because she was afraid she would be sick.
"We mustn't have a pale,tired girl right now,"said mother.
Well!"said Shelley,but she just stood there holding mother.
"Well?"said mother gripping her.
"You see!"said Shelley.
"Child,"said mother,"I DO see!I see six feet of as handsome manhood as I ever have seen anywhere.His manner is perfect,and I find his speech most attractive.I am delighted with him.I do see indeed!Your father is quite as proud and pleased as I am.Now go to bed."
Shelley held up her lips,and then went.I ran to the barn,where the men were standing in the shade,while Leon led his horse up and down before them,told about its pedigree,its record,how he came to have it.The Paget man stood there looking and listening gravely,as he studied the horse.At last he went over her,and gee!but he knew horse!Then Laddie brought out Flos and they talked all about her,and then went into the barn.Father opened the east doors to show how much land he had,which were his lines;and while the world didn't look quite so pretty as it had in May,still it was good enough.
Then they went into the orchard,sat under the trees and began talking about business conditions.That was so dry I went back to the house.And maybe I didn't strike something interesting there!
