the Drift Fence (1992) Read Online Free PDF Page B

before he had time to look her over.
    Then Molly's cup grew perilously full. But what would he do? She was standing with Ellen Price and her friends. Suppose this stranger would present himself! Molly thought she might pretend to have forgotten his name; then if he had any sense he could save the situation for her. To her relief, however, he did not approach.
    The music burst forth again and another partner claimed Molly. But even in the whirling throng she did not lose sight of this young man whom she had promised dances. Now and then as she turned she saw him leaning against the wall. Met his dark glance! It followed her everywhere. He did not dance. He did not mingle with the crowd. During the next intermission she saw that he was noticed by girls, who whispered to one another, and by cowboys who gave him rather contemptuous looks. Both actions struck Molly singularly. In some sense he seemed an outsider or else he did not choose to make himself agreeable. The meaning of feminine glances sent his way was not lost upon Molly. And when she, too, dared to glance his way, to find him watching her, she would quickly avert her eyes. She realized that he hopefully and reasonably expected her to give him an opportunity.
    At the end of the next number, which Molly had with young Price, she claimed to be a little tired and wanted to sit down. They found a vacant place, where they conversed for the brief interval.
    "Shall I take you across to mother?" asked young Price.
    "No, thanks. I'll wait here for my next partner," replied Molly. graciously.
    "Excuse me, then," he returned, and left her.
    Molly hoped her stranger would be quick. But she had scarcely prepared herself for his sudden arrival.
    "Is this mine?" he asked, bending over her eagerly.
    "Yes," murmured Molly, rising.
    Then he whirled her into the throng. His presence did not quite make her oblivious to his strong arm, his light step, his perfect time. But instantly Molly realized she did not need to help this young man learn his steps.
    "I was afraid you'd forgotten me," he said, pressing her hand. "Don't talk," returned Molly.
    He laughed and obeyed her. Molly's head came about to his shoulder and she just escaped contact with it. Not that she wished to! She felt that her face must be burning and she would have liked to hide it there. She did not seem to be making any effort to dance. Yet she was whirling, swaying, gliding around among dancers who looked vague and dim. All the threatened feelings accumulated during the last two days took possession of her now.
    The music ceased when they were at the farther end of the hall. "Come Let's get out before some of them grab you," he said. "I must talk to you."

    Chapter FOUR
    He led her out through a corridor to a long porch, high up over a garden.
    It appeared deserted and shadowy. There was moonlight at the corner and just at the edge of it a bench. He found a seat for her there.
    "You look perfectly lovely," he said, expelling a deep breath, as if in relief. "I just didn't know you."
    "You--you don't know me, anyhow," returned Molly, not knowing what to say.
    "Nor you me. But at first I thought you did. It sure was jolly. To think I almost didn't ride to town!"
    "That would have been terrible, wouldn't it?" murmured Molly. She could not remain silent. He seemed to draw expression from her.
    "It sure would. But I don't want to tell you about myself, now. I want to talk about you."
    "An' I'd rather not."
    "Aren't we mysterious?" He took her hand and held it.
    Molly did not have the desire to withdraw it, nor the strength. But she managed to look up. How pale and eager he was! His eyes devoured her. And his face wore an ineffable smile.
    "'All's fair in love and war,'" he said. "And I rustled you away from them"--he indicated the distant dance-hall by an eloquent gesture--"to have a minute with you alone."
    Molly's presagement that something was going to happen to her was near its fulfilment.
    "There's a strange thing about