"
Johnnie flamed to the roots of his hair. "Now, ma'am, if you're gonna
believe that--"
Beatrice repented and offered him her hand.
"We'll not believe anything of you that isn't good? even if you did
want to kidnap me," she said.
CHAPTER XLI
THE NEW DAY
The slapping of the wind against the tent awakened Beatrice. She could
hear it soughing gently through the branches of the live oaks. An
outflung arm discovered Clay missing.
Presently she rose, sleep not yet brushed fully from her eyes, drew the
tent flaps together modestly under her chin, and looked out upon a
world which swam in the enchanted light of a dawn primeval. The
eastern sky was faintly pink with the promise of a coming sun. The
sweet, penetrating lilt of the lark flung greeting at her.
Her questing glance found Clay, busy over the mesquite fire upon which
he was cooking breakfast. She watched him move about, supple and light
and strong, and her heart lifted with sheer joy of the mate she had
chosen. He was such a man among men, this clear-eyed, bronzed husband
of a week. He was so clean and simple and satisfying. As she closed
the flaps she gave a deep sigh of content.
Every minute till she joined him was begrudged. For Beatrice had
learned the message of her heart. She knew that she was wholly and
completely in love with what life had brought her.
The hubbub of the city seemed to her now so small and so petty. Always
she had known a passionate love of things fine and good.
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