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example. That girl was nowhere and no way the type who should be with him, and
being alone,he'd surely want to take her home. And there was nobody to tell
him no. And she knew it.
"Two-fifty," I said, casually.
Fuentes had drifted away, now he started back toward me, stopping a few feet
away.
Tory had had a few drinks, but I was not sure if it was that, or if he really
wanted the girl, or whether it was a deliberate matter of policy byBalch and
Saddler, who were watching.
"Three dollars!"Tory said instantly.
"Three-fifty," I replied.
Tory laughed and said "Four dollars!"
The room was silent. Suddenly everybody knew something was happening. The
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girl's face was white and strained. Whoever she was, wherever she came from,
she was no fool. She knew what was happening, and she could see it meant
trouble.
"Five dollars," I said, and saw Danny Rolf turn away from the girl he was
with and face toward the front of the room.
Tory laughed suddenly. He glanced right and left. "Let's get this over with,"
he said loudly."Tendollars!"
Even at forty dollars a month fighting wages, that was a strong bid, and he
had no idea it would go any further.
"Fifteen dollars," I said quietly.
Tory's face tightened and for the first time he glanced at me. He was a
little scared. I did not know how much money he had, but doubted whether he
had more than that in his pocket, at least not much more.
"Sixteen dollars!" he said, but from his manner I figured he had about
reached the end of it.
Suddenly from behind me there was a whisper. It was Ben Roper. "I got ten
bucks you can have."
Keeping my manner as casual as possible, I said, "Seventeen."
RogerBalch pushed through the crowd behind Tory, and I saw him taking some
coins from his pocket. He whispered something to Benton and Tory put a hand
back for money.
He glanced quickly at what was in his hand. "Twenty dollars!" he said
triumphantly.
"Twenty-one," I replied.
For a moment there was silence. The auctioneer cleared his throat. He looked
hot and worried. He glanced at RogerBalch , then at me.
"Twenty-two," Tory said, but with less assurance. Roger had his feet apart
staring at me. I suppose he was trying to bluff me.
"Twenty-three," I said casually. Deliberately, I put my hand in my pocket and
took out several gold pieces. I wanted them to realize they were going to have
to spend to win. At least, I'd know how badly they wanted to win, or if it was
just an attempt to assert themselves.
Tory saw the gold pieces. They were twenty-dollar pieces and I had a handful
of them. What I held in my hand was a good year's pay for a cowhand, and they
could see it.
"Twenty-three dollars has been bid!Twenty-three ! Twenty-three once!
Twenty-three twice!Twenty-three three times!"
He paused, but RogerBalch was turning away and Tory was just standing there.
"Going ... going ...gone !Sold to the gentleman from Stirrup-Iron!"
The big groups broke up and scattered around the room, gathering into smaller
groups. I crossed to the auctioneer to get my box.
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Tory Benton was staring hard at me. "I'd like to know where you got all that
money," he said belligerently.
I took the box with my left hand, smiling at him. "I worked for it, Tory. I
worked hard."
With the box in hand, I crossed to the girl in the gingham dress. "This is
yours, isn't it?"
"Yes." She looked up at me. "Why did you do that?All that money?"
"I wanted your box," I said.
"You don't even know me."
"I know you a little ... And I know a good deal about Tory Benton, and I know
you came alone."
"Thank you." We found a bench corner and sat down together. "I shouldn't have
come," she said then, "but ... but I was lonely! I can't stay much longer."
"We'll eat then," I said, "and I'll ride you home." She was genuinely
frightened."Oh, no! You mustn't! I can't let you do that!"
"Are you married?"
She looked startled."Oh, no! But I justcan't ! You must understand."
"All right ... part way, then? Just to be sure you're safely on the way?"
"All right."She was reluctant.
"I've told you my name.MiloTalon."
"Mine isClarisa ... call me Lisa." She mentioned no other name and I didn't
insist. If she did not tell me, she had her own reasons.
Her box dinner was simple, but good. There were some doughnuts that were
about as good as any I'd ever eaten, and Ma made the best, yet my eyes kept
straying across the room to where AnnTimberly sat.
Fuentes crossed to me with Ben Roper. I introduced them, and Fuentes said, "I
think we ride together tonight,si? "
"I've got to ride along with Lisa," I said, "but only partway."
"We'll follow," Ben said, "an' you watch your step. RogerBalch didn't like
his manbein ' beat. He just didn't want to spend that much to win."
They drifted off a ways, and after a bit Danny Rolf joined them. TheBalch and
Saddler riders were bunching a little, too.
Dancing started again, and I danced with Lisa, then left her talking to Ben
and crossed the room to Ann. She turned as I came up and was about to refuse
my suggestion of a dance when she suddenly changed her mind.
She danced beautifully, and I did all right. I'd danced more in better places
than most cowhands have a chance to, and I could get around pretty good out
there, even without a horse. Mostly cowhands don't dance too well, but they
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don't mind and neither do the girls. The cowhands can always hold the girl
while she dances.
Everybody was having a good time. I kept my eyes open, but nowhere did I see
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