|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 100
Slim smoothed down his tangled hair, and brushed off some of the
dust which whitened his shoulders. "Look yeah, Miss Polly--"
Then his courage failed him, and he stopped. Polly glanced at
him, to help him over the hard places. Slim was greatly
embarrassed. "My heart is right up in any throat. Well, I might
as well spit it out," he thought aloud.
Again Slim started toward the girl to tell her of his love, and
again his courage failed him, although Polly was doing her best
to help him.
"Look yeah, Miss Polly, I've been after somebody for a long time
now--"
"Horse-thief?" asked Polly coquettishly.
"No, heart-thief," blurted Slim.
"Stealing hearts ain't no harm."
"Well, just the same, I'm goin' to issue a writ of replevin, an'
try for to git mine back," laughed Slim.
He was about to slip his arm about her waist when she turned and
faced him. The action so disconcerted him that he jumped
backward, as if the girl was about to attack him.
"Where is it?" asked Polly.
Slim, deeply in earnest, replied: "You know it's hid. You know
just as well as I kin tell you."
Polly became remorseful. She realized how much Slim was
suffering, and she was sorry that her answer to him would be a
disappointment.
"Please don't say any more, Slim,"--as she stepped away from him.
Slim followed her up, and, speaking over her shoulder, said: "I
can't help it. You've got my feelin's stampeded now, an' they
sure has to run. I've had an itchin' in my heart for you ever
since I first knowed you. You come from Kentucky--well, I was
kinder borned up that way myself--in Boone County, an' that
sorter makes--well, if it did, what I want to know is--"
Slim hesitated, and nervously hauled at his chaps.
"Will you be my--"
Frightened at his boldness, he clapped his hand over his mouth.
"Can I be your--" he began again.
Angry at himself, he said under his breath: "I'll never get this
damn' thing out of my system." In his earnestness he doubled up
his fist and shook it behind the girl's back. Suddenly she
turned, and found his clenched hand directly under her nose. She
started back in dismay.
"Excuse me," humbly apologized Slim. "I didn't mean for to do
that, ma'am--deedy, I didn't--I was only--that's--well, I reckon
I'm a little bit--"
Slim looked directly at the girl for the first time. She was
trying to restrain her hearty laughter. Slim's face broadened in
a grin. "You're a mighty fine piece of work, you are, an' I've
got an 'awful yearnin' to butt into your family."
Polly was greatly moved by Slim's sincerity.
"Don't, please don't!" she pleaded. "Why, I've known all along
that you love me, but--"
"But what?" he asked, when she hesitated.
"I've always liked you real well, and I've been glad that you
liked me. I don't want to lose your friendship, though--and, oh,
please forgive me, please do." Polly was very repentant, showing
it by the tones of her voice and in her eyes.
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|