I go north with the big drive in the mornin', an'
won't see you ag'in."
"Well, good luck and good-by to you." Polly held out her hand in
her most friendly fashion.
Buck arose and took off his hat. As he stepped toward her, he
cried: "Same to you. Good-by." Grasping her by the hand, he
added warmly: "An'--happiness."
"I'll tell Bud you're here," cried Polly over her shoulder.
Buck looked after the girl as she swung across the prairie to
find Bud.
"She's a darned fine leetle gal, she is," mused Buck. "Seein'
Bud so happy, kinder makes me homesick. Things is gettin' too
warm for me here, anyway. If Payson gets back, he'll be able to
clear himself about that Terrill business, an' things is likely
to p'int pretty straight at me an' Bud. I'm sorry I dragged Bud
into that. I could have done it alone just as well--an' kep' all
the money."
McKee sat down to wait for Bud. His mind was filled with
pleasant thoughts. Having assumed a chivalrous role in the
Peruna incident, he was tasting something of the sweet sensations
and experiences that follow a sincerely generous action. Smiles
and pleasant greetings from Polly, who had heretofore met him
with venomous looks and stinging words, were balm to his soul.
He felt well-satisfied with himself and kindly toward the whole
world. The fiendish torturer of helpless men and harmless
beasts, the cold-blooded murderer, the devilish intriguer to
incriminate an innocent man, thought that he was a very good
fellow, after all; much better than, say, such a man as Jack
Payson.
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