"Do you realize what that resolution means to us?" The girl's tones
were grave, her glance graver.
"I realize what it means to me!"
She came closer to him. Suddenly the blaze in her violet eyes gave
way to one of mirth. "Oh, you dear big booby!" she cried. "I was just
testing you." And she clung to him, laughing. "You always beat me
down--you always win. Bryce, dear, I'm the Laguna Grande Lumber
Company--at least, I will be to-morrow, and I repeat for the last
time that you shall NOT build the N.C.O.--because I'm going to--oh,
dear, I shall die laughing at you--because I'm going to merge with
the Cardigan Redwood Lumber Company, and then my railroad shall be
your railroad, and we'll extend it and haul Gregory's logs to
tidewater for him also. And--silly, didn't I tell you you'd never
build the N.C.O.?"
"God bless my mildewed soul!" he murmured, and drew her to him.
In the gathering dusk they walked down the trail. Beside the madrone
tree John Cardigan waited patiently.
"Well," he queried when they joined him, "did you find my
handkerchief for me, son?"
"I didn't find your handkerchief, John Cardigan," Bryce answered,
"but I did find what I suspect you sent me back for--and that is a
perfectly wonderful daughter-in-law for you."
John Cardigan smiled and held out his arms for her.
Pages:
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412