Johnnie worried about him.
The evening of the day the Runt heard of the engagement he told his
friend about it while Kitty was in the kitchen.
"Miss Beatrice she's wearing a new ring," he said by way of breaking
the news gently.
Clay turned his head slowly and looked at Johnnie. He waited without
speaking.
"I heerd it to-day from one of the help. Then I seen it on her
finger," the little man went on reluctantly.
"Bromfield?" asked Clay.
"Yep. That's the story."
"The ring was on the left hand?"
"Yep."
Clay made no comment. His friend knew enough to say no more to him.
Presently the cattleman went out. It was in the small hours of the
morning when he returned. He had been tramping the streets to get the
fever out of his blood.
But Johnnie discussed with Kitty at length this new development, just
as he had discussed with her the fact that Clay no longer went to see
the Whitfords. Kitty made a shrewd guess at the cause of division.
She had already long since drawn from the cowpuncher the story of how
Miss Beatrice had rejected his proposal that she take an interest in
her.
"They must 'a' quarreled--likely about me being here. I'm sorry you
told her."
"I don't reckon that's it." Johnnie scratched his head to facilitate
the process of thinking. He wanted to remain loyal to all of his three
friends. "Miss Beatrice she's got too good judgment for that."
"I ought to go away. I'm only bringing Mr. Lindsay trouble.
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