"Indeed!" Ridgway put it with polite insolence, the hostility in his face
scarcely veiled.
"It has pleased Providence to multiply my portion so abundantly that I can
reward those well who serve me."
"At how much do you estimate Mrs. Harley's life?" his rival asked with
quiet impudence.
In the course of the past two days Aline had made the discovery that her
husband and her rescuer were at swords drawn in a business way. This had
greatly distressed her, and in her innocence she had resolved to bring them
together. How could her inexperience know that she might as well have tried
to induce the lion and the lamb to lie down together peaceably? Now she
tried timidly to drift the conversation from the awkwardness into which
Harley's suggestion of a reward and his opponent's curt retort had
blundered it.
"I hope you did not find upon your return that your business was
disarranged so much as you feared it might be by your absence."
"I found my affairs in very good condition," Ridgway smiled. "But I am glad
to be back in time to welcome to Mesa you--and Mr.
Pages:
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136